And now for the PAIN.

Weeping and Mourning

8 Because of this I will weep and wail;

I will go about barefoot and naked.

I will howl like a jackal

and moan like an owl.

9 For Samaria’s plague is incurable;

it has spread to Judah.

It has reached the very gate of my people,

even to Jerusalem itself.

10 Tell it not in Gath[a];

weep not at all.

In Beth Ophrah[b]

roll in the dust.

11 Pass by naked and in shame,

you who live in Shaphir.[c]

Those who live in Zaanan[d]

will not come out.

Beth Ezel is in mourning;

it no longer protects you.

12 Those who live in Maroth[e] writhe in pain,

waiting for relief,

because disaster has come from the Lord,

even to the gate of Jerusalem.

13 You who live in Lachish,

harness fast horses to the chariot.

You are where the sin of Daughter Zion began,

for the transgressions of Israel were found in you.

14 Therefore you will give parting gifts

to Moresheth Gath.

The town of Akzib[f] will prove deceptive

to the kings of Israel.

15 I will bring a conqueror against you

who live in Mareshah.[g]

The nobles of Israel

will flee to Adullam.

16 Shave your head in mourning

for the children in whom you delight;

make yourself as bald as the vulture,

for they will go from you into exile.

Micah 1:8-16