Amos Chapter 3
Witnesses Summoned Against Israel
1 Listen to what Yahveh 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 if he’s taken nothing?
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 Yahveh planned it?
7For certain Yahveh God doesn’t do anything
without revealing his secret counsel to his prophets.
8A lion has roared! Who’s not afraid?
The Lord Yahveh 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 see 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 Yahveh 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;
the mansions will come to an end.”
Amos 3:9-15