Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors
(Jeremiah 12:14–17)

1These are the words of Amos (burden), who was among the sheepherders (sheep breeders)a of Tekoa (a stockade)—what he saw concerning Israel (he wrestles with God) two years (during the two years)b before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah (my strength is YHWH) was king of Judah (praised) and Jeroboam (the people will contend) son of Jehoash \Joash/c was king of Israel. 2He said:

“The LORD {YHWH} roars from Zion

and raises His voice from Jerusalem (city of peace);

the pastures of the shepherds mourn,

and the summit of Carmel (garden-land) withers.”

3This is what the LORD {YHWH} says:

“For three transgressions of Damascus (well-watered land), even four,

I will not revoke My judgment (I will not revoke the punishment),d

because they threshed Gilead (rocky region)

with sledges of iron.

4So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael (one who sees God)

to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad (son of Hadad).

5I will break down the gates of Damascus (well-watered land);

I will cut off the ruler (the inhabitants)e from the Valley of Aven (wickedness)f (vanity)

and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden (house of delight).

The people of Aram (exalted) will be exiled to Kir (wall),”

says the LORD {YHWH}.

6This is what the LORD {YHWH} says:

“For three transgressions of Gaza (the strong), even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because they exiled a whole population,

delivering them up to Edom (red).

7So I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza (the strong),

to consume its citadels.

8I will cut off the ruler of Ashdod (powerful)

and the one who wields the scepter in Ashkelon (the fire of infamy).

I will turn My hand against Ekron (torn up by the roots),

and the remnant of the Philistines (immigrants) will perish,”

says the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH}.

9This is what the LORD {YHWH} says:

“For three transgressions of Tyre (a rock), even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom (red)

and broke a covenant of brotherhood.

10So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre (a rock)

to consume its citadels.”

11This is what the LORD {YHWH} says:

“For three transgressions of Edom (red), even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because he pursued his brother with the sword

and stifled all compassion;

his anger raged continually,

and his fury flamed incessantly.

12So I will send fire upon Teman (south)

to consume the citadels of Bozrah (sheepfold / fortress).”

13This is what the LORD {YHWH} says:

“For three transgressions of the Ammonites (tribal), even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead (rocky region)

in order to enlarge their territory.

14So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah (great)

to consume its citadels

amid war cries on the day of battle

and a violent wind on the day of tempest (honeycomb / overflow).

15Their king will go into exileg —

he and his princes together,”

says the LORD {YHWH}.