# The best of them is like a brier, the most upright is worse than a thorn hedge

Briers and thorns are good for nothing and harm those who touch them. The Israelite rulers and judges did nothing good and harmed people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile]])

# the most upright

"those of them who try hardest to do what is good"

# It is the day foretold by your watchmen, the day of your punishment

Micah speaks to the people of Israel, so both instances of "your" are plural. The word "watchmen" is a metaphor for prophets. Alternate translation: "Their prophets have told them that Yahweh would punish them" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# Now is the time of their confusion

The abstract noun "confusion" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "Now is when they do not understand what is happening" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns]])