The Sins of Judah (Chs. 2, 3). 

        Two groups of sins are particularly mentioned:

        a. The greedy landowners who covet their poor neighbours’ fields (2:1-5) supported by cruel and venal judges and rulers (3:1-4), cf. Isa. 5:8-24.

        b. False prophets (2:6f; 3:5-8) who support the rich in their injustice and who use their position for their own gain.

        The section closes with a drastic prophecy of the complete destruction of Jerusalem (3:9-12), which according to Jer. 26:18f was the cause of Hezekiah’s repentance, otherwise unspeci­fied, unless perhaps in IIChron. 32:26. It is doubtful that it refers to Hezekiah’s reformation (IIKings 18:4).

        Though there is no reason for denying 2:12f to Micah, the verses break the connexion of thought very violently, and it is likely that they have been misplaced in transmission.