Verbum Domini, quod factum est ad Michæam Morasthiten, in diebus Joathan, Achaz, et Ezechiæ, regum Juda, quod vidit super Samariam et Jerusalem.

The word of the Lord that came to Micheas the Morasthite, in the days of Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings ofJuda: which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

This message came from the Lord to Michaeas the Morasthite, during the reigns of Joathan, Achaz and Ezechias in Juda; this revelation was made to him concerning Samaria and Jerusalem both together.

Audite, populi omnes, et attendat terra, et plenitudo ejus: et sit Dominus Deus vobis in testem, Dominus de templo sancto suo.

Hear, all ye people: and let the earth give ear, and all that is therein: and let the Lord God be a witness to you, the Lord from his holy temple.

A word for you, nations far and near; let the whole world give audience, and all the world contains! Listen to this indictment the Lord God brings, from his high throne all beholding.

Quia ecce Dominus egredietur de loco suo, et descendet, et calcabit super excelsa terræ.

For behold the Lord will come forth out of his place: and he will come down, and will tread upon the high places of the earth.

See, where the Lord comes out from his dwelling-place; and, as he makes his way down, the topmost peaks of earth for his stairway,

Et consumentur montes subtus eum, et valles scindentur sicut cera a facie ignis, et sicut aquæ quæ decurrunt in præceps.

And the mountains shall be melted under him: and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as waters that run down a steep place.

melt hills at his touch, melt valleys like wax before the fire, like water over the steep rocks flowing away!

In scelere Jacob omne istud, et in peccatis domus Israël. Quod scelus Jacob? nonne Samaria? et quæ excelsa Judæ? nonne Jerusalem?

For the wickedness of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the wickedness of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Juda? are they not Jerusalem?

Alas, what betokens it? What but Jacob’s going astray, what but guilt of Israel’s line? Head and front of Jacob’s sinning Samaria needs must be, sure as Jerusalem is Juda’s place of pilgrimage.

Et ponam Samariam quasi acervum lapidum in agro, cum plantatur vinea; et detraham in vallem lapides ejus, et fundamenta ejus revelabo.

And I will make Samaria as a heap of stones in the field when a vineyard is planted: and I will bring down the stones thereof into the valley, and will lay her foundations bare.

In ruin Samaria shall lie, a heap of stones in the open country-side, a terrace for vineyards; all down yonder valley I will drag the stones of her, till her very foundations are laid bare.

Et omnia sculptilia ejus concidentur, et omnes mercedes ejus comburentur igne, et omnia idola ejus ponam in perditionem, quia de mercedibus meretricis congregata sunt, et usque ad mercedem meretricis revertentur.

And all her graven things shall be cut in pieces, and all her wages shall be burnt with fire, and I will bring to destruction all her idols: for they were gathered together of the hire of a harlot, and unto the hire of a harlot they shall return.

Shattered all those idols must be, burnt to ashes the gauds she wears; never an image but shall be left forlorn; all shall go the way of a harlot’s wages, that were a harlot’s wages from the first.

Super hoc plangam, et ululabo; vadam spoliatus, et nudus; faciam planctum velut draconum, et luctum quasi struthionum:

Therefore will I lament and howl: I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and a mourning like the ostriches.

For this, should I not raise the dirge aloud? Barefoot go I and stripped; jackal nor ostrich cries out more lamentably.

quia desperata est plaga ejus, quia venit usque ad Judam; tetigit portam populi mei usque ad Jerusalem.

Because her wound is desperate, because it is come even to Juda, it hath touched the gate of my people even to Jerusalem.

Hurt is here past all cure, that to Juda itself must spread; Jerusalem itself, mart of my own country-side, shall feel the blow.

In Geth nolite annuntiare; lacrimis ne ploretis; in domo pulveris pulvere vos conspergite.

Declare ye it not in Geth, weep ye not with tears: in the house of Dust sprinkle yourselves with dust.

Gate of Gath must never hear the news, hushed be the sound of weeping; afar at Beth-aphra cast the dust on your heads.

Et transite vobis, habitatio pulchra, confusa ignominia: non est egressa quæ habitat in exitu: planctum domus vicina accipiet ex vobis, quæ stetit sibimet.

And pass away, O thou that dwellest in the Beautiful place, covered with thy shame: she went not forth that dwelleth in the confines: the House adjoining shall receive mourning from you, which stood by herself.

Away with you, Shaphir’s folk, shivering and shamed; of coming and going in Saanan sign is none; mourning of Beth-ezel … has taken the ground from under your feet.

Quia infirmata est in bonum, quæ habitat in amaritudinibus; quia descendit malum a Domino in portam Jerusalem.

For she is become weak unto good that dwelleth in bitterness: for evil is come down from the Lord into the gate of Jerusalem.

Marred, now, are the anxious hopes of Maroth; so ruthless the Lord’s decree against yonder gates of Jerusalem.

Tumultus quadrigæ stuporis habitanti Lachis: principium peccati est filiæ Sion, quia in te inventa sunt scelera Israël.

A tumult of chariots hath astonished the inhabitants of Lachis: it is the beginning of sin to the daughter of Sion, for in thee were found the crimes of Israel.

Recklessly, at Lachis, harness they steed to chariot; Lachis, that first betrayed poor Sion into guilt, that was Israel’s mistress in wrong-doing!

Propterea dabit emissarios super hæreditatem Geth, domus mendacii in deceptionem regibus Israël.

Therefore shall she send messengers to the inheritance of Geth: the houses of lying to deceive the kings of Israel.

Marriage-dower this daughter of thine, Moreseth-gath, shall cost thee; here is Achsib, too, for the royal policy how rude a set-back!

Adhuc hæredem adducam tibi quæ habitas in Maresa; usque ad Odollam veniet gloria Israël.

Yet will I bring an heir to thee that dwellest in Maresa: even to Odollam shall the glory of Israel come.

Thy marches, Maresa, shall be ridden once again; to Odollam …… Israel’s glory shall come.

Decalvare, et tondere super filios deliciarum tuarum; dilata calvitium tuum sicut aquila, quoniam captivi ducti sunt ex te.

Make thee bald, and be polled for thy delicate children: enlarge thy baldness as the eagle: for they are carried into captivity from thee.

Such pride in thy children! Shaven bare thy brow; vulture itself is not so bald; alas, for sons of thine exiled far away!