Amos 3

Chapter 3

1 Listen to this message that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel and Judah—against the entire family I rescued from Egypt:
2 “From among all the families on the earth,
I have been intimate with you alone.
That is why I must punish you
for all your sins.”

Witnesses against Guilty Israel

3 Can two people walk together
without agreeing on the direction?4 Does a lion ever roar in a thicket
without first finding a victim?
Does a young lion growl in its den
without first catching its prey?5 Does a bird ever get caught in a trap
that has no bait?
Does a trap spring shut
when there’s nothing to catch?6 When the ram’s horn blows a warning,
shouldn’t the people be alarmed?
Does disaster come to a city
unless the LORD has planned it?7 Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything
until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.8 The lion has roared—
so who isn’t frightened?
The Sovereign LORD has spoken—
so who can refuse to proclaim his message?9 Announce this to the leaders of Philistiat
and to the great ones of Egypt:
“Take your seats now on the hills around Samaria,
and witness the chaos and oppression in Israel.”10 “My people have forgotten how to do right,”
says the LORD.
“Their fortresses are filled with wealth
taken by theft and violence.11 Therefore,” says the Sovereign LORD,
“an enemy is coming!
He will surround them and shatter their defenses.
Then he will plunder all their fortresses.”

12 This is what the LORD says:
“A shepherd who tries to rescue a sheep from a lion’s mouth
will recover only two legs or a piece of an ear.
So it will be for the Israelites in Samaria lying on luxurious beds,
and for the people of Damascus reclining on couches.t

13 “Now listen to this, and announce it throughout all Israel,t” says the Lord, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.
14 “On the very day I punish Israel for its sins,
I will destroy the pagan altars at Bethel.
The horns of the altar will be cut off
and fall to the ground.15 And I will destroy the beautiful homes of the wealthy—
their winter mansions and their summer houses, too—
all their palaces filled with ivory,”
says the LORD.

AMOS 3

1 People of Israel,
I rescued you from Egypt.
Now listen to my judgment
against you.

2 Of all nations on earth,
you are the only one
I have chosen.
That's why I will punish you
because of your sins.

The Work of a Prophet

3 Can two people walk together
without agreeing to meet?

4 Does a lion roar in the forest
unless it has caught
a victim?
Does it growl in its den
unless it is eating?

5 How can anyone catch a bird
without using a net?
Does a trap spring shut
unless something is caught?

6 Isn't the whole city frightened
when the trumpet
signals an attack?
Isn't the [Lord] the one who brings
disaster on a city?

7 Whatever the [Lord] God
plans to do,
he tells his servants,
the prophets.

8 Everyone is terrified
when a lion roars—
and ordinary people
become prophets
when the [Lord] God speaks.

Samaria Is Doomed

9 Here is a message
for the leaders
of Philistiat and Egypt—
tell everyone to come together
on the hills of Samaria.
Let them see the injustice
and the lawlessness
in that city.

10 The [Lord] has said
that they don't even know how
to do right.
They have become rich
from violence and robbery.

11 And so the [Lord] God has sworn
that they will be surrounded.
Enemies will break through
their defenses
and steal their treasures.

12 The [Lord] has promised
that only a few from Samaria
will escape with their lives
and with some broken pieces
of their beds and couches.t
It will be like when a shepherd
rescues two leg bones
and part of a sheep's ear
from the jaws of a lion.t

The Altars at Bethel

13 The [Lord] God All-Powerful
told me to speak this message
against Jacob's descendants:

14  t When I, the [Lord], punish Israel
for their sins,
I will destroy the altars
at Bethel.
Even the corners of the altart
will be left in the dirt.

15 I will tear down winter homes
and summer homes.
Houses decorated with ivory
and all other mansions
will be gone forever.
I, the [Lord], have spoken!