"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
— Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Micah 6:8 is the "do justly, love mercy, walk humbly" verse. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Micah, and a plain reading. For more verses on the theme, see Bible verses about justice, Bible verses about mercy, and Bible verses about humility.
Free PDF
Get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF
Sign up for the daily Bible verse email, and get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF. 30 Days of Love Verses · Open the PDF
The verse
The King James says, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
"Good" is tob (H2896), what is good or right. "Require" is darash (H1875), to seek or ask for. "Justly" is mishpat (H4941), justice or a right judgment. "Mercy" is chesed (H2617), loyal, steadfast love and kindness. "Humbly" is tsana (H6800), to be modest or lowly.
Where it sits in Micah
Micah 6 is set up like a court case. God tells Micah, "Stand up, plead my case before the mountains" (Micah 6:1), and reminds Israel how he brought them out of Egypt (Micah 6:4).
Right before verse 8 the people ask what would please God: "With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?" (Micah 6:6). They keep raising the price, up to thousands of rams and even a firstborn child (Micah 6:7). Verse 8 is the answer.
What the verse is saying
The people were asking how much they had to give. Micah says God already showed them, and it is not about bigger sacrifices. It is about how they live: treat people fairly, love kindness and keep loyal love, and walk with God without pride.
The three parts go together. Justice is how you treat others, mercy is the heart behind it, and walking humbly is how you stand before God. For more, see Bible verses about compassion, Bible verses about kindness, and Bible verses about worship.
Questions people ask
What does Micah 6:8 say?
In the NIV it says, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." The KJV says, "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."
What does "love mercy" mean in Micah 6:8?
"Mercy" is the Hebrew chesed, loyal, steadfast love and kindness. To love it means to treasure kindness and faithfulness, not just do it once.
What does "walk humbly with your God" mean?
"Humbly" is tsana, to be modest or lowly. It pictures walking alongside God every day without pride, trusting him rather than yourself.
What question is Micah 6:8 answering?
Micah 6:6-7 asks what someone should bring before God, burnt offerings, thousands of rams, even a firstborn. Verse 8 answers that God wants justice, mercy, and humility.
What verse goes well with Micah 6:8?
Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness." Proverbs 3:5-6 speaks of trusting the LORD instead of your own understanding.
