Micah 7:3

1 Woe is me! For I am like one gathering summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster to eat, no early fig that I crave.

2 The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.

Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

4 The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.

5 Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.
KJV
That 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.
WEB
Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe. The powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.
ASV
Their 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.
DARBY
Both hands are for evil, to do it well. The prince asketh, and the judge [is there] for a reward; and the great [man] uttereth his soul's greed: and [together] they combine it.
BLB
Upon the evil [are] both hands to do [it] well; the prince is asking—and the judge—for a bribe, and the great one is speaking the desire of his soul, and they wrap it up.
ÅB
Med begge hender gjør de det onde.
Fyrsten krever, og dommeren er til salgs,
stormannen sier hva han ønsker,
og slik vrir de retten.
OTB
Når det gjelder ondskap, gjør begge hender det godt.
Lederen ber om bestikkelser,
Også dommeren, og den store mannen taler sitt hjertes lyst—
Slik planlegger de det sammen.
B1930
Med begge hender arbeider de på å få det onde til å synes godt; fyrsten krever, og dommeren er villig mot betaling, og stormannen sier hvad han ønsker, og således forvender de retten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Micah 3:11

    Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 4:16–17

    For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

    Read in context
  • Amos 5:12

    For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 8:10

    Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 3:5

    Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ This you have spoken, but you keep doing all the evil you can.”

    Read in context
  • Luke 12:1–2

    In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 22:6

    See how every prince of Israel within you has used his power to shed blood.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 26:21

    For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.

    Read in context