Witnesses against Israel

1Hear this word that the LORD {YHWH} has spoken against you⁺, O children of Israel (he wrestles with God), against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt (land of bondage):

2“Only you⁺ have I known (chosen)a

from all the families of the earth;

therefore I will punish you⁺

for all your⁺ iniquities.”

3Can two walk together

without agreeing where to go (without an appointment to meet)?b

4Does a lion roar in the forest

when he has no prey?

Does a young lion growl in his den

if he has caught nothing?

5Does a bird land in a snare

where no bait has been set?

Does a trap spring from the ground

when it has nothing to catch?

6If a ram’s horn sounds in a city,

do the people not tremble?

If calamity comes to a city,

has not the LORD {YHWH} caused it?

7Surely the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} does nothing

without revealing His plan

to His servants the prophets.

8The lion has roared—

who will not fear?

The Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} has spoken—

who will not prophesy?

9Proclaim to the citadels of Ashdod (powerful)

and to the citadels of Egypt (land of bondage):

“Assemble on the mountains of Samaria (watch mountain);

see the great unrest in the city

and the acts of oppression in her midst.”

10“For they know not how to do right,”

declares the LORD {YHWH}.

“They store up violence and destruction

in their citadels.”

11Therefore this is what the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} says:

“An enemy (An adversary)c will surround the land;

he will pull down your strongholds

and plunder your citadels.”

12This is what the LORD {YHWH} says:

“As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion

two legs or a piece of an ear,

so the Israelites (God prevails) dwelling in Samaria (watch mountain) will be rescued

having just the corner of a bed

or the cushion of a couch.d

13Hear and testify against the house of Jacob (he grasps the heel),

declares the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH}, the God {Elohe} of Hosts.

14On the day I punish Israel (he wrestles with God) for their transgressions,

I will visit destruction on the altars of Bethel (house of God);

the horns of the altar will be cut off,

and they will fall to the ground.

15I will tear down the winter house

along with the summer house;

the houses of ivory will also perish,

and the great houses will come to an end,”

declares the LORD {YHWH}.