Parallel Verses
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 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 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.
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 Faithful men have disappeared from the land; there are no godly men left. They all wait in ambush so they can shed blood; they hunt their own brother with a net. 3 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. 4 The best of them is like a thorn; the most godly among them are more dangerous than a row of thorn bushes. The day you try to avoid by posting watchmen -- your appointed time of punishment -- is on the way, and then you will experience confusion.
Cross References
Micah 3:11
Her leaders take bribes when they decide legal cases, her priests proclaim rulings for profit, and her prophets read omens for pay. Yet they claim to trust the Lord and say, "The Lord is among us. Disaster will not overtake us!"
Proverbs 4:16-17
For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm; they are robbed of sleep until they make someone stumble.
Amos 5:12
Certainly I am aware of your many rebellious acts and your numerous sins. You torment the innocent, you take bribes, and you deny justice to the needy at the city gate.
1 Kings 21:9-14
This is what she wrote: "Observe a time of fasting and seat Naboth in front of the people.
Isaiah 1:23
Your officials are rebels, they associate with thieves. All of them love bribery, and look for payoffs. They do not take up the cause of the orphan, or defend the rights of the widow.
Isaiah 26:21
For look, the Lord is coming out of the place where he lives, to punish the sin of those who live on the earth. The earth will display the blood shed on it; it will no longer cover up its slain.
Jeremiah 3:5
You will not always be angry with me, will you? You will not be mad at me forever, will you?' That is what you say, but you continually do all the evil that you can."
Jeremiah 8:10
So I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.
Ezekiel 22:6
"'See how each of the princes of Israel living within you has used his authority to shed blood.
Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials are like wolves in her midst rending their prey -- shedding blood and destroying lives -- so they can get dishonest profit.
Hosea 4:18
They consume their alcohol, then engage in cult prostitution; they dearly love their shameful behavior.
Matthew 26:15
and said, "What will you give me to betray him into your hands?" So they set out thirty silver coins for him.
Luke 12:1-2
Meanwhile, when many thousands of the crowd had gathered so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
1 Corinthians 4:5
So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God.