Micah 3:11

For reward. Instead of dispensing impartial justice the judges accepted bribes for favorable decisions against the defenseless poor (see Isaiah 1:23; Ezekiel 22:12), a practice strictly prohibited by the Law (see Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:18-20).

For hire. The money-mad priests received gifts beyond their regular support (Numbers 18:20-24) and doubtless provided instruction favorable to the generous inquirer. Thus these apostate priests corrupted their sacred office by making it a means of securing gain. Likewise the prophets, “for money,” provided suitable “revelations” for those willing to pay for them. They were afflicted with the spirit of Balaam, “who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15; cf. Jude 11).

They lean. While engaged in this wickedness the magistrates, priests, and false prophets claimed to be worshipers of Jehovah. Theirs was a formal religion that was satisfied to substitute external conformity for inner righteousness and truth. They deceived themselves into thinking that because they had the Temple of Jerusalem they had the guarantee of the divine presence and favor and a defense against harm (see Isaiah 48:1, 2; Jeremiah 7:1-15).