Micah 7:3

"Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together."

Corruption had permeated the highest levels of their society. The very men upon whom rested the responsibility for justice and order in their society were themselves guilty of the most abominable crimes and injustices. Things were so decadent that the community's "great men" openly spoke of their willingness to be bribed. "They had no shame in letting the whole town know that they could be bought."[9] Allen's paraphrase of Isaiah's words regarding conditions in his day are appropriate here:

"Your court officials are rebels,

Accomplices of thieves.

Everyone of them loves a bribe

And chases after presents.

They do not defend the orphan

And never hear the widow's case" (Isaiah 1:23).[10]

"To do it diligently ..." The original language also carries the idea of "skillfully." "Bad men gain a dreadful skill and wisdom in evil, as Satan has; and cleverness in evil is their delight."[11]