⁶ Now the remnant of Jacob will be
    in the midst of many peoples,
like dew from Adonai,
like abundant showers on grass
    that does not wait for a man,
    nor lingers for the sons of men.
⁷ For the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,
    in the midst of many peoples,
like a lion among the forest beasts,
like a young lion among flocks of sheep,
who, if he passed through, would trample and tear to pieces,
    and there would be no deliverer.
⁸ May your hand be raised up against your adversaries,
and may all your foes be cut off.
⁹ “Now in that day”
—it is a declaration of Adonai—
“I will cut off your horses among you,
and I will destroy your chariots.
¹⁰ I will cut off the cities of your land,
and throw down all your strongholds.
¹¹ I will cut off sorceries from your hand,
and you will have no more diviners.
¹² I will cut off your carved images
and your sacred pillars from among you,
so you will no longer bow down
    to the work of your hands.
¹³ I will uproot your Asherah poles from among you,
and destroy your cities.
¹⁴ So I will execute vengeance in anger
and wrath on the nations that have not listened.

“Arise! Contend with the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
² Hear, Adonai’s dispute, O mountains—
the enduring foundations of the earth.
For Adonai has a dispute with His people
and He will argue His case with Israel.
³ O My people, what have I done to you?
Or how have I wearied you? Answer Me!
⁴ When I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you from the house of bondage,
I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
⁵ O My people, remember, please:
What did Balak, king of Moab, propose?
What did Balaam son of Beor answer him?
From Shittim as far as Gilgal,
so that you might acknowledge
    the righteous acts of Adonai.”

⁶ With what shall I come before Adonai?
With what shall I bow myself before God on high?
Shall I present Him with burnt offerings,
    with year-old calves?
⁷ Will Adonai be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with hordes of rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my belly for the sin of my soul?
⁸ He has told you, humanity, what is good,
and what Adonai is seeking from you:
Only to practice justice, to love mercy,^[a]
    and to walk humbly with your God.