Amos Chapter 3
Amos 2:12-16
Witnesses Summoned Against Israel
1 Listen to what the LORD says against you, Israel, against the entire family he brought out of Egypt:
2“Of all the families in the world, only you have me;
so I’ll punish you for your sins.
3Can two men walk together unless they’ve agreed on their route?
4Does a lion roar in the woods before it’s made a kill?
Does a young lion growl in his den unless he’s taken something?
5Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground if there’s no bait in it?
Does a trap snap shut if nothing trips it?
6 If a bugle blows in the city, won’t the people be afraid?
If a catastrophe falls on a city, hasn’t the LORD planned it?
7For certain the LORD God doesn’t do anything
without revealing his secret counsel to his prophets.
8A lion has roared! Who’s not afraid?
The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can refuse to prophesy?”
Amos 3:1-8
9 Declare on the fortresses in Ashdod and Egypt:
“Gather in the mountains around Samaria and watch the great turmoil and oppression in it. 10 They don’t know how to do what’s right; they store up violence and devastation in their fortresses.”
11 So the Lord GOD says,
“An enemy will surround the land,
pull down your fortresses,
and loot your strongholds.
12Like a shepherd snatches from a lion’s mouth
a couple legs or part of an ear,
so I’ll deliver the Israelites living in Samaria
like the corner of a couch and the cover on a bed.
13Listen and testify against Jacob’s house.
14When I punish Israel’s sins, I’ll punish Bethel’s altars too.
I’ll cut off the horns of the altar, and they’ll fall on the ground.
15I’ll strike their winter palaces and summer homes;
stately residences full of ivory will perish;
their mansions will meet their end.”
Amos 3:9-15