Parallel Verses
Julia Smith Translation
For doing evil with the hands to do well, the chief asking, and the judge, for peace; and the great one, he spake the mischief of his soul: and they will entangle it
New American Standard Bible
The prince asks, also the judge, for a
And a great man speaks the desire of his soul;
So they weave it together.
King James Version
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.
Holman Bible
the official and the judge demand a bribe;
when the powerful man communicates his evil desire,
they plot it together.
International Standard Version
And speaking of evil, they practice it eagerly with both hands! Both leader and judge demand a bribe, the famous confess their perverted desires, and they scheme together.
A Conservative Version
Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler asks, and the judge [is ready] for a bribe. And the great man, he utters the evil desire of his soul. Thus they weave it together.
American Standard Version
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.
Amplified
Concerning evil, both of their hands pursue it and do it diligently and thoroughly;
The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe,
And a great man speaks the [evil] desire of his soul.
So they twist the course of justice between them.
Bible in Basic English
Their hands are made ready to do evil; the ruler makes requests for money, and the judge is looking for a reward; and the great man gives decisions at his pleasure, and the right is twisted.
Darby Translation
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.
King James 2000
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asks, and the judge asks for a bribe; and the great man, he utters his evil desire: so they weave it together.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Their hands [are] upon evil, to do [it] well; the official and the judge ask for the bribe, and the great [man] utters the evil desire of his soul; and they weave [it] together.
Modern King James verseion
Both hands are on evil, to do it well. The ruler asks for a bribe, and the judge also; and the great man speaks the evil desire of his soul. So they weave it together.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
yet they say they do well when they do evil. As the prince will, so sayeth the judge: that he may do him a pleasure again. The great man speaketh what his heart desireth; and the hearers allow him.
NET Bible
They are determined to be experts at doing evil; government officials and judges take bribes, prominent men make demands, and they all do what is necessary to satisfy them.
New Heart English Bible
Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.
The Emphasized Bible
Of wickedness with both hands to make sure, the ruler, doth make demand - and the judge - for a recompense, - and, as for the great man, he, is putting into words the desire of his soul, So have they woven the net!
Webster
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.
World English Bible
Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.
Youngs Literal Translation
On the evil are both hands to do it well, The prince is asking -- also the judge -- for recompence, And the great -- he is speaking the mischief of his soul, And they wrap it up.
Themes
Character » Of the wicked » Evil doers
Character » Of the wicked » Mischievous
Character of the wicked » Mischievous
Courts » Miscellaneous topics relating to courts and judicial procedure » Corruption of
Earthly » Reward » Earthly, a source of temptation
Evil » Zeal » Against » Manifested by evil men in pursuing their plans
hands » Of the wicked, described as » Mischievous
Removal » The righteous being removed from the earth
Reward » Spiritual crowns » Earthly, a source of temptation
Zeal » Evil » Manifested by evil men in pursuing their plans
Topics
Interlinear
Ra`
Kaph
Yatab
Sha'al
Dabar
References
American
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Micah 7:3
Verse Info
Context Readings
Wait Upon Yahweh
2 The merciful one perished from the earth, and none upright among men: they all will lie in wait for bloods; they will hunt each his brother with a net. 3 For doing evil with the hands to do well, the chief asking, and the judge, for peace; and the great one, he spake the mischief of his soul: and they will entangle it 4 Their good as the thorn, the upright more than the thorn-hedge: the day of thy watchings and thy reviewings came; now shall be their perplexity.
Cross References
Micah 3:11
Her heads will judge for a gift, and her priests will teach for hire, and her prophets will divine for silver: and they will lean upon Jehovah, saying, Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? he will not bring evil upon us.
Proverbs 4:16-17
For they slept not, if they shall not do evil; and their sleep was taken away, if they shall not cause to falter.
Amos 5:12
For I knew your many transgressions, and your strong sins: pressing upon the just, taking a ransom, and they turned away the needy in the gate
1 Kings 21:9-14
And she will write in the letters, Saying, Call a fast; set Naboth in the head of the people:
Isaiah 1:23
Thy chiefs turning away, and associates of thieves: every one loving a gift and following recompenses: the orphan they will not judge, and the cause of the widow will not come to them.
Isaiah 26:21
For behold, Jehovah will come forth out of his place to review the iniquity of him dwelling in the earth upon him; and the earth uncovered her bloods, and she will no more cover over her slain.
Jeremiah 3:5
Will he guard forever? if he will watch to the end? Behold, I spake, and wilt thou do evil, and shalt thou be able?
Jeremiah 8:10
For this I will give their wives to others; their fields to those inheriting them: for from small and even to great all plundering a plunder, from the prophet and even to the priest, all did falsehood.
Ezekiel 22:6
Behold, the princes of Israel they were a man to his arm to pour out;blood in thee.
Ezekiel 22:27
Her chiefs in her midst as wolves rending the prey, to pour out blood, to destroy souls, for the sake of plundering plunder.
Hosea 4:18
Their drinking bout departed: committing fornication, they committed fornication: they loved, give ye shame upon her shields.
Matthew 26:15
Said, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him to you? and they placed to him thirty silver coins.
Luke 12:1-2
Upon which, myriads of the crowd having been gathered together, so as to tread upon one another, he began to speak to his disciples first, Keep yourselves from the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge ye nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who also, will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of hearts: and then shall praise be to each from God.