1
Hear this word that the
2
You only have I known
of all the families of the earth;
therefore I will punish you
for all your iniquities.
3
Do two walk together
unless they have made an appointment?
4
Does a lion roar in the forest,
when it has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from its den,
if it has caught nothing?
5
Does a bird fall into a snare on the earth,
when there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
when it has taken nothing?
6
Is a trumpet blown in a city,
and the people are not afraid?
Does disaster befall a city,
unless the
7
Surely the Lord
without revealing his secret
to his servants the prophets.
8
The lion has roared;
who will not fear?
The Lord
who can but prophesy?
9
Proclaim to the strongholds in Ashdod,
and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt,
and say, "Assemble yourselves on Mount 1 Samaria,
and see what great tumults are within it,
and what oppressions are in its midst."
10
They do not know how to do right, says the
those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds.
11
Therefore thus says the Lord
An adversary shall surround the land,
and strip you of your defense;
and your strongholds shall be plundered.
12
Thus says the
13
Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob,
says the Lord
14
On the day I punish Israel for its transgressions,
I will punish the altars of Bethel,
and the horns of the altar shall be cut off
and fall to the ground.
15
I will tear down the winter house as well as the summer house;
and the houses of ivory shall perish,
and the great houses 3 shall come to an end,
+qsays the
1
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan
who are on Mount Samaria,
who oppress the poor, who crush the needy,
who say to their husbands, "Bring something to drink!"
2
The Lord
The time is surely coming upon you,
when they shall take you away with hooks,
even the last of you with fishhooks.
3
Through breaches in the wall you shall leave,
each one straight ahead;
and you shall be flung out into Harmon, 4
+qsays the
4
Come to Bethel--and transgress;
to Gilgal--and multiply transgression;
bring your sacrifices every morning,
your tithes every three days;
5
bring a thank offering of leavened bread,
and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them;
for so you love to do, O people of Israel!
+qsays the Lord