Micah's Lament and Hope

Micah 7

The prophet laments the failure of godly and faithful people in the land, describing corruption among rulers and judges and betrayal even within families, yet declares his own trust that the Lord will hear him and bring him into the light. The chapter ends with the enemy silenced and shamed, a prayer that the Lord shepherd his people as in days of old, and praise for the Lord's mercy in pardoning iniquity and casting sins into the depths of the sea.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

Thomson(p) WOE is me! for I am like one picking up stalks in harvest, and like one gathering a gleaning at the vintage. Not a bunch of the first fruits is left for me to eat.

BrentonAlas for me! for I am become as one gathering straw in harvest, and as one gathering grape-gleanings in the vintage, when there is no cluster for me to eat the first-ripe fruit: alas my soul!

GreekΟἴμοι, ὅτι ἐγενήθην ὡς συνάγων καλάμην ἐν ἀμητῷ, καὶ ὡς ἐπιφυλλίδα ἐν τρυγητῳ, οὐχ ὑπάρχοντος βότρυος τοῦ φαγεῖν τὰ πρωτόγονα. οἴμοι ψυχὴ,

KJVWoe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.

JPSWoe is me! for I am as the last of the summer fruits, As the grape gleanings of the vintage; There is no cluster to eat; Nor first-ripe fig which my soul desireth.

ThomsonAh woe is my life, that the pious is perished from the land, and among men there is not an upright man left! (J) They are all indicted for capital crimes: they grievously afflict every man his neighbour;

BrentonFor the godly is perished from the earth; and there is none among men that orders his way aright: they all quarrel even to blood: they grievously afflict every one his neighbour:

Greekὅτι ἀπόλωλεν εὐσεβὴς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, καὶ κατορθῶν ἐν ἀνθρώποις οὐχ ὑπάρχει· πάντες εἰς αἵματα δικάζονται, ἕκαστος τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ ἐκθλίβουσιν ἐκθλιβῇ,

KJVThe good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

JPSThe godly man is perished out of the earth, And the upright among men is no more; They all lie in wait for blood; They hunt every man his brother with a net.

Thomsonthey are preparing their hands for evil. The chief asketh, and the judge hath spoken words of flattery,—the desire of their soul;

Brentonthey prepare their hands for mischief, the prince asks a reward, and the judge speaks flattering words; it is the desire of their soul:

Greekἐπὶ τὸ κακὸν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν ἑτοιμάζουσιν· ὁ ἄρχων αἰτεῖ, καὶ ὁ κριτὴς εἰρηνικοὺς λόγους ἐλάλησε, καταθύμιον ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ ἐστιν· καὶ ἐξελοῦμαι τὰ ἀγαθὰ αὐτῶν

KJVThat they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

JPSTheir hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; The prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; And the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul; Thus they weave it together.

Thomsontherefore I will take away their good things, like a consuming moth advancing regularly in the day of visitation. (p) Alas! alas! thy punishments are come; now will their lamentations be:—

Brentontherefore I will take away their goods as a devouring moth, and as one who acts by a rigid rule in a day of visitation. Woe, woe, thy times of vengeance are come; now shall be their lamentations.

Greekὡς σὴς ἐκτρώγων, καὶ βαδίζων ἐπὶ κανόνος ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σκοπιᾶς· οὐαὶ οὐαὶ, αἱ ἐκδικήσεις σου ἥκασι, νῦν ἔσονται κλαυθμοὶ αὐτῶν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonTrust not in friends, nor confide in rulers, against the wife of thy bosom be on thy guard—to trust nothing to her;

BrentonTrust not in friends, and confide not in guides: beware of thy wife, so as not to commit anything to her.

GreekΜὴ καταπιστεύετε ἐν φίλοις, καὶ μὴ ἐλπίζετε ἐπὶ ἡγουμένοις· ἀπὸ τῆς συγκοίτου σου φύλαξαι, τοῦ ἀναθέσθαι τι αὐτῇ.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonfor a son dishonoureth a father; a daughter will rise up against her mother; a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; all a man’s household are his enemies.

BrentonFor the son dishonours his father, the daughter will rise up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: those in his house shall be all a man's enemies.

GreekΔιότι υἱὸς ἀτιμάζει πατέρα, θυγάτηρ ἐπαναστήσεται ἐπὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτῆς, νύμφη ἐπὶ τὴν πενθερὰν αὐτῆς, ἐχθροὶ πάντες ἀνδρὸς οἱ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ.

KJVFor the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.

JPSFor the son dishonoureth the father, The daughter riseth up against her mother, The daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own house.

Thomson(c) But as for me I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God Who is my saviour; He Who is my God will hearken to me.

BrentonBut I will look to the Lord; I will wait upon God my Saviour: my God will hearken to me.

GreekἘγὼ δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον ἐπιβλέψομαι, ὑπομενῶ ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ σωτῆρί μου, εἰσακούσεταί μου ὁ Θεός μου.

KJVTherefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

JPS’But as for me, I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.

ThomsonRejoice not over me, O mine enemy, because I have fallen. I shall rise again, for though I sit in darkness the Lord will give me light.

BrentonRejoice not against me, mine enemy; for I have fallen yet shall arise; for though I should sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me.

GreekΜὴ ἐπίχαιρέ μοι ἡ ἐχθρά μου, ὅτι πέπτωκα, καὶ ἀναστήσομαι· διότι ἐὰν καθίσω ἐν τῷ σκότει, Κύριος φωτιεῖ μοι.

KJVRejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

JPSRejoice not against me, O mine enemy; Though I am fallen, I shall arise; Though I sit in darkness, the LORD is a light unto me.

ThomsonI will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him; until He vindicate my cause. He will do me justice and bring me out into light;

BrentonI will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he make good my cause: he also shall maintain my right, and shall bring me out to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.

GreekὈργὴν Κυρίου ὑποίσω, ὅτι ἥμαρτον αὐτῷ, ἕως τοῦ δικαιῶσαι αὐτὸν τὴν δίκην μου· καὶ ποιήσει τὸ κρίμα μου, καὶ ἐξάξει με εἰς τὸ φῶς· ὄψομαι τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ,

KJVI will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.

JPSI will bear the indignation of the LORD, Because I have sinned against Him; Until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me; He will bring me forth to the light, And I shall behold His righteousness.

Thomsonand shame shall cover her who saith, Where is thy God? Mine eyes shall see her. She shall now be trodden down like dirt in the streets.

BrentonAnd she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shall clothe herself with shame, who says, Where is the Lord thy God? mine eyes shall look upon her: now shall she be for trampling as mire in the ways.

Greekκαὶ ὄψεται ἡ ἐχθρά μου καὶ περιβαλεῖται αἰσχύνην, ἡ λέγουσα, ροῦ Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου; οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου ἐπόψονται αὐτὴν, νῦν ἔσται εἰς καταπάτημα ὡς πηλὸς ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς.

KJVThen she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.

JPSThen mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her; Who said unto me: Where is the LORD thy God? Mine eyes shall gaze upon her; Now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.’

Thomson—

BrentonIt is the day of making of brick; that day shall be thine utter destruction, and that day shall utterly abolish thine ordinances.

GreekἩμέρα ἀλοιφῆς πλίνθου, ἐξάλειψίς σου ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνη, καὶ ἀποτρίψεται νόμιμά σου ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνη.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAnd thy cities shall become plains and be distributed among the Assyrians; even thy fortified cities shall be for distribution, from Tyre to the river and from sea to sea, and from mountain to the mountain.

BrentonAnd thy cities shall be levelled, and parted among the Assyrians; and thy strong cities shall be parted from Tyre to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.

GreekΚαὶ αἱ πόλεις σου ἥξουσιν εἰς ὁμαλισμὸν, καὶ εἰς διαμερισμὸν Ἀσσυρίων, καὶ αἱ πόλεις σου αἱ ὀχυραὶ εἰς διαμερισμὸν ἀπὸ Τύρου ἕως τοῦ ποταμοῦ, καὶ ἀπὸ θαλάσσης ἕως θαλάσσης, καὶ ἀπὸ ὄρους ἕως τοῦ ὄρους.

KJVIn that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.

JPSThere shall be a day when they shall come unto thee, From Assyria even to the cities of Egypt, And from Egypt even to the River, And from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.

ThomsonAnd the land shall be for desolation, together with them who inhabit it, because of the fruits of their devices.

BrentonAnd the land shall be utterly desolate together with them that inhabit it, because of the fruit of their doings.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ἡ γῆ εἰς ἀφανισμὸν σὺν τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν αὐτὴν, ἀπὸ καρπῶν ἐπιτηδευμάτων αὐτῶν.

KJVNotwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.

JPSAnd the land shall be desolate for them that dwell therein, Because of the fruit of their doings.

Thomson(J) They shall feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

BrentonTend thy people with thy rod, the sheep of thine inheritance, those that inhabit by themselves the thicket in the midst of Carmel: they shall feed in the land of Basan, and in the land of Galaad, as in the days of old.

GreekΠοίμαινε λαόν σου ἐν ῥάβδῳ σου, πρόβατα κληρονομίας σου, κατασκηνοῦντας καθʼ ἑαυτοὺς δρυμὸν ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ Καρμήλου· νεμήσονται τὴν Βασανίτιν, καὶ τὴν Γαλααδίτιν καθὼς αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ αἰῶνος.

KJVFeed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

JPSTend Thy people with Thy staff, the flock of Thy heritage, That dwell solitarily, as a forest in the midst of the fruitful field; Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

ThomsonAnd as in the days of thy coming out of Egypt, you shall see wonderful things.

BrentonAnd according to the days of thy departure out of Egypt shall ye see marvellous things.

GreekΚαὶ κατὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐξοδίας σου ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, ὄψεσθε θαυμαστά.

KJVAccording to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things.

JPS’As in the days of thy coming forth out of the land of Egypt Will I show unto him marvellous things.’

ThomsonNations shall see and be confounded, and because of all the mighty power of these [things], they will lay their hands on their mouths. Their ears will be stopped.

BrentonThe nations shall see and be ashamed; and at all their might they shall lay their hands upon their mouth, their ears shall be deafened.

GreekὌψονται ἔθνη καὶ καταισχυνθήσονται, καὶ ἐκ πάσης τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτῶν, ἐπιθήσουσι χεῖρας ἐπὶ τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν, τὰ ὦτα αὐτῶν ἀποκωφωθήσεται,

KJVThe nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.

JPSThe nations shall see and be put to shame for all their might; They shall lay their hand upon their mouth, Their ears shall be deaf.

ThomsonThey will lick dust like serpents trailing on the ground; they will be confounded in their enclosure.

BrentonThey shall lick the dust as serpents crawling on the earth, they shall be confounded in their holes; they shall be amazed at the Lord our God, and will be afraid of thee.

Greekλείξουσι χοῦν ὡς ὄφεις σύροντες γῆν, συγχυθήσονται ἐν συγκλεισμῷ αὐτῶν· ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ Θεῷ ἡμῶν ἐκστήσονται, καὶ φοβηθήσονται ἀπὸ σοῦ.

KJVThey shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.

JPSThey shall lick the dust like a serpent; Like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places; They shall come with fear unto the LORD our God, And shall be afraid because of Thee.

Thomson—

BrentonWho is a God like thee, cancelling iniquities, and passing over the sins of the remnant of his inheritance? and he has not kept his anger for a testimony, for he delights in mercy.

GreekΤίς Θεὸς ὥσπερ σὺ; ἐξαίρων ἀνομίας, καὶ ὑπερβαίνων ἀσεβείας τοῖς καταλοίποις τῆς κληρονομίας αὐτοῦ; καὶ οὐ συνέσχεν εἰς μαρτύριον ὀργὴν αὐτοῦ, ὅτι θελητὴς ἐλέους ἐστίν.

KJVWho is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

JPSWho is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth the iniquity, And passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, Because He delighteth in mercy. .

Thomson—

BrentonHe will return and have mercy upon us; he will sink our iniquities, and they shall be cast into the depths of the sea, even all our sins.

GreekἘπιστρέψει καὶ οἰκτειρήσει ἡμᾶς, καταδύσει τὰς ἀδικίας ἡμῶν, καὶ ἀποῤῥιφήσονται εἰς τὰ βάθη τῆς θαλάσσης πάσας τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν.

KJVHe will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

JPSHe will again have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; And Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

ThomsonHe will turn and have compassion on us: He will bury deep our iniquities, they shall be whelmed in the depths of the sea,—all our sins. He will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as He swore to our fathers, according to the days of old.

BrentonHe shall give blessings truly to Jacob, and mercy to Abraam, as thou swarest to our fathers, according to the former days.

GreekΔώσει εἰς ἀλήθειαν τῷ Ἰακὼβ, ἔλεον τῷ Ἁβραάμ, καθότι ὤμοσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἡμῶν, κατὰ τὰς ἡμέρας τὰς ἔμπροσθεν.

KJVThou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

JPSThou wilt show faithfulness to Jacob, mercy to Abraham, As Thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.