Miquéias 2

1 Woe to them that devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

2 And they covet fields, and seize them; and houses, and take them away: and they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

3 Therefore thus saith the LORD: Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks, neither shall ye walk haughtily; for it is an evil time.

4 In that day shall they take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation,

5 Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast the line by lot in the congregation of the LORD.

6 Prophesy ye not,

7 Shall it be said, O house of Jacob, Is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

8 But of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye strip the robe from off the garment from them that pass by securely

9 The women of my people ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their young children ye take away my glory for ever.

10 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because of uncleanness that destroyeth, even with a grievous destruction.

11 If a man walking in wind and falsehood do lie,

12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah: as a flock in the midst of their pasture, they shall make great noise by reason of

13 The breaker is gone up before them: they have broken forth and passed on to the gate, and are gone out thereat: and their king is passed on before them, and the LORD at the head of them.