The kingof Israelsaidto Jehoshaphat,"There is yetonemanby whom we may inquireof the LORD,but I hatehim, for he neverprophesiesgoodconcerningme but alwaysevil.He is Micaiah,sonof Imla."But Jehoshaphatsaid,"Let not the kingsayso."
When AhabsawElijah,Ahabsaidto him, "Is thisyou, you troublerof Israel?"
for when Jezebeldestroyedthe prophetsof the LORD,Obadiahtooka hundredprophetsand hidthem by fiftiesin a cave,and providedthem with breadand water.)
He said,"I have beenveryzealousfor the LORD,the Godof hosts;for the sonsof Israelhave forsakenYour covenant,torndownYour altarsand killedYour prophetswith the sword.And I aloneam left;and they seekmy life,to takeit away."
Ahabsaidto Elijah,"Have you foundme, O my enemy?"And he answered,"I have found[you], becauseyou have soldyourself to doevilin the sightof the LORD.
The kingof Israelsaidto Jehoshaphat,"There is yetonemanby whom we may inquireof the LORD,but I hatehim, becausehe does not prophesygoodconcerningme, but evil.[He is] Micaiahsonof Imlah."But Jehoshaphatsaid,"Let not the kingsayso."
When JoramsawJehu,he said,"Is it peace,Jehu?"And he answered,"Whatpeace,solongas the harlotriesof your motherJezebeland her witchcraftsare so many?"
But Micaiahsaid,"As the LORDlives,whatmy Godsays,that I will speak."
But Jehoshaphatsaid,"Is therenot yeta prophetof the LORDherethat we may inquireof him?"
Then the kingof Israelcalledan officerand said,"BringquicklyMicaiah,Imla'sson."
Evilshall slaythe wicked,And those who hatethe righteouswill be condemned.
Becauseof the voiceof the enemy,Becauseof the pressureof the wicked;For they bringdowntroubleupon me And in angerthey beara grudgeagainstme.
Deliverme from the mireand do not let me sink;May I be deliveredfrom my foesand from the deepwaters.
[Like] an earringof goldand an ornamentof finegoldIs a wisereproverto a listeningear.
Menof bloodshedhatethe blameless,But the uprightare concernedfor his life.
Do not reprovea scoffer,orhe will hateyou, Reprovea wisemanand he will loveyou.
Whosayto the seers,"You must not see[visions"]; And to the prophets,"You must not prophesyto us whatis right,Speakto us pleasantwords,Prophesyillusions.
Then they said,"Comeand let us deviseplansagainstJeremiah.Surelythe lawis not going to be lostto the priest,norcounselto the sage,northe [divine] wordto the prophet!Comeon and let us strikeat him with [our] tongue,and let us givenoheedto anyof his words."
Then the officialssaidto the king,"Nowlet thismanbe putto death,inasmuchas he is discouragingthe menof warwho are leftin thiscityand allthe people,by speakingsuchwordsto them; for thismanis not seekingthe well-beingof thispeoplebut rathertheir harm."
They hatehim who reprovesin the gate,And they abhorhim who speaks[with] integrity.
"Is it being said,O houseof Jacob:'Is the Spiritof the LORDimpatient?Are theseHis doings?'Do not My wordsdogoodTo the one walkinguprightly?
Immediatelythe kingsentan executionerand commanded[him] to bring[back] his head.And he wentand had him beheadedin the prison,
"Blessedare you whenmenhateyou, and ostracizeyou, and insultyou, and scornyour nameas evil,for the sakeof the Sonof Man.
"IfI had not doneamongthem the workswhichno oneelsedid,they would not havesin;but nowthey have bothseenand hatedMe and My Fatheras well.
"The worldcannothateyou, but it hatesMe becauseI testifyof it, that its deedsare evil.
Sohave I becomeyour enemyby telling you the truth?
