L:  The Hebrew Bible reading is from the prophet Micah, and is read responsively.

L: Hear what the Lord says: 

Stand up! Plead your case before the mountains, 

and let the hills hear your voice.

All: Hear, you mountains, the quarrel of God; 

and listen, all the layers of earth:

the Lord has a quarrel with God’s people, 

and God will now content with Israel.

L: God asks, "O my people, what have I done to you? 

How have I made you weary? Answer me!

All:  Look: I brought you out of the land of Egypt, 

and saved you from the house of slavery; 

I gave you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam for leaders.

L: Remember, O my people, how there was a king named Balak

who plotted against you,

and to him I sent Balaam to answer him

and stop his schemes.

Remember this, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord."

All: With what offering shall I come before the Lord?

How should I bow myself before God most high?

Should I bring burnt offerings, calves only a year old?

Would the Lord be pleased if I brought thousands of rams,

ten thousands of rivers of oil?

What about my firstborn - is that what God wants,

The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

L: God has told you, O mortal, what is good; 

remember, what does the Lord require of you? 

All:  To do justice, to love kindness, 

and to walk humbly with our God.

L: The Word of the Lord. A: Thanks be to God.