Old Testament
Micah 6:13
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Therefore, I will make you sick by striking you and making you desolate because of your sins.
Compare translations
Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins.
What Micah 6:13 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Micah 6:13, God is expressing the consequences of the people's sins. The verse indicates that their wrongdoing has led to a state of sickness and desolation. This is not just physical illness but a spiritual and moral decay resulting from their actions. God, through the prophet Micah, is emphasizing that their unfaithfulness and disobedience have serious repercussions. The imagery of being made sick and desolate serves as a warning about the seriousness of sin and its impact on their lives. It highlights the idea that turning away from God leads to suffering and emptiness. The verse calls for reflection on one's actions and the need for repentance to restore the relationship with God. It serves as a reminder that while God is just, He also desires His people to return to Him and seek healing and restoration.
How to apply Micah 6:13 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our lives for any areas of sin that may lead to spiritual sickness. It reminds us that turning away from God can result in negative consequences. We should seek to repent and restore our relationship with God, ensuring we live in alignment with His will.
Curated for this public verse page. Micah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Noah's story: Noah Is Born (Genesis 5:28–32)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Noah

Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Micah 6:13
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Micah 6:13
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Micah
- Author
- Micah the prophet
- Written
- Around 735-700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and Israel
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Micah 6:13 mean?
Micah 6:13 means that God is warning the people about the consequences of their sins, indicating that their wrongdoing has led to spiritual and moral decay, resulting in sickness and desolation.
What is the significance of being made sick in Micah 6:13?
Being made sick in Micah 6:13 symbolizes the serious repercussions of sin, highlighting that turning away from God can lead to both spiritual emptiness and suffering.
How does Micah 6:13 relate to repentance?
Micah 6:13 relates to repentance by serving as a call for the people to reflect on their actions and return to God, as their sins have led to negative consequences that can be addressed through repentance.
What themes are present in Micah 6:13?
Themes in Micah 6:13 include the consequences of sin, divine judgment, spiritual sickness, a call to repentance, and the moral decay that results from turning away from God.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.