5 O My people, remember, please: What did Balak, king of Moab, propose? What did Balaam son of Beor answer him? From Shittim as far as Gilgal, so that you might acknowledge the righteous acts of Adonai.”
6 With what shall I come before Adonai? With what shall I bow myself before God on high? Shall I present Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?
7 Will Adonai be pleased with thousands of rams, with hordes of rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my belly for the sin of my soul?
8 He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what Adonai is seeking from you: Only to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
9 The voice of Adonai calls to the city— it is wisdom to fear Your Name— “Pay attention to the rod and to the One who appointed it.”
10 Does the house of the wicked still have treasures of wickedness? Or is an undersized ephah denounced?
11 Can I be pure with wicked balances? Or with a bag of deceptive weights?