Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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
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 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 pious has perished from the earth, and there is none upright among men. For they all lie in wait for blood; each one hunts his brother with a net. 3 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. 4 The best of them is like a briar; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day of your watchmen and your punishment comes; now their shame shall come.
Cross References
Micah 3:11
Her heads judge for a bribe, and her priests teach for pay, and her prophets divine for silver, yet they will lean on Jehovah and say, Is not Jehovah among us? No evil can come on us!
Proverbs 4:16-17
For they do not sleep, except when they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall.
Amos 5:12
For I know your many transgressions and your many sins. They afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate.
1 Kings 21:9-14
And she wrote in the letter, saying, Proclaim a fast and set Naboth on high among the people.
Isaiah 1:23
your rulers are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves a bribe, and is pursuing rewards; they do not judge the orphan, nor does the cause of the widow come to them.
Isaiah 26:21
For behold, Jehovah comes out of His place to punish the people of the earth for their iniquity; the earth also shall reveal her blood, and shall no more cover her dead.
Jeremiah 3:5
Will He keep His anger forever? Will He keep it to the end? Behold, you have spoken and done all the evil things you could do.
Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore I will give their wives to others, and their fields to those who shall inherit them, for everyone from the least even to the greatest cuts off a profit. From the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely.
Ezekiel 22:6
Behold, the rulers of Israel, each man by his might, have been in you in order to shed blood.
Ezekiel 22:27
Her rulers in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood and to destroy souls, to get unjust gain.
Hosea 4:18
Their drink is sour; they are continually fornicating; her rulers dearly love shame.
Matthew 26:15
And he said to them, What will you give me, and I will betray Him to you? And they appointed to him thirty pieces of silver.
Luke 12:1-2
In the meantime, when there had gathered together an innumerable crowd of people, so as to trample on one another, He began to say to His disciples first, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts. And then shall each one have praise of God.