Amos 3 · Witnesses against Israel

1Hear this word, O people of Israel,That GOD has spoken concerning you,Concerning the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt:

2You alone have I singled outOf all the families of the earth—That is why I will call you to accountFor all your iniquities.

3Can two walk togetherWithout having met?

4Does a lion roar in the forestWhen it has no prey?Does a great beast let out a cry from its denWithout having made a capture?

5Does a bird drop on the ground—in a trap—With no snare there?Does a trap spring up from the groundUnless it has caught something?

6When a ram’s horn is sounded in a town,Do the people not take alarm?Can misfortune come to a townIf GOD has not caused it?

7Indeed, my Sovereign GOD does nothingWithout having revealed the purposeTo God’s servants the prophets.

8A lion has roared,Who can but fear?My Sovereign GOD has spoken,Who can but prophesy?

9Proclaim in the fortresses of Ashdod And in the fortresses of the land of Egypt!Say:Gather on the hill of SamariaAnd witness the great outrages within herAnd the oppression in her midst.

10They are incapable of doing right—declares GOD;They store up lawlessness and rapineIn their fortresses.

11Assuredly,Thus said the Sovereign GOD:An enemy, all about the land!He shall strip you of your splendor,And your fortresses shall be plundered.

12Thus said GOD:As a shepherd rescues from the lion’s jawsTwo shank bones or the tip of an ear, So shall the Israelites escapeWho dwell in Samaria—With the leg of a bed or the head of a couch.

13Hear [this], and warn the House of Jacob—says the Sovereign GOD, the God of Hosts—

14That when I punish Israel for its transgressions,I will wreak judgment on the altar of Bethel,And the horns of the altar shall be cut offAnd shall fall to the ground.

15I will wreck the winter palaceTogether with the summer palace;The ivory palaces shall be demolished,And the great houses shall be destroyed—declares GOD.