The Locusts, Fire, and Plumb Line
(Joel 2:1–11)

1This is what the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts just after the king’s harvest, as the late spring crop was coming up.a 2And when the locusts had eaten every green plant in the land, I said, “Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH}, please forgive! How will Jacob (he grasps the heel) survive, since he is so small?”

3So the LORD {YHWH} relented from this plan. “It will not happen,” He said.

4This is what the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} showed me: The Lord GOD {YHWH} was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. 5Then I said, “Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH}, please stop! How will Jacob (he grasps the heel) survive, since he is so small?”

6So the LORD {YHWH} relented from this plan. “It will not happen either,” said the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH}.

7This is what He showed me: Behold, the Lord {Adonai} was standing by a wall true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand. 8“Amos (burden), what do you see?” asked the LORD {YHWH}.

“A plumb line,” I replied.

“Behold,” said the Lord {Adonai}, “I am setting a plumb line among My people Israel (he wrestles with God); I will no longer spare them:

9The high places of Isaac (he laughs) will be deserted,

and the sanctuaries of Israel (he wrestles with God) will be laid waste;

and I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam (the people will contend)

with My sword.”

Amaziah Accuses Amos

10Then Amaziah (YHWH is mighty) the priest of Bethel (house of God) sent word to Jeroboam (the people will contend) king of Israel (he wrestles with God), saying, “Amos (burden) has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words, 11for this is what Amos (burden) has said:

‘Jeroboam (the people will contend) will die by the sword,

and Israel (he wrestles with God) will surely go into exile,

away from their homeland.’”

12And Amaziah (YHWH is mighty) said to Amos (burden), “Go away, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah (praised); earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. 13But never prophesy at Bethel (house of God) again, because it is the sanctuary of the king and the temple of the kingdom.”

14“I was not (I am not)b a prophet,” Amos (burden) replied (YHWH is mighty), “nor was I the son (nor am I the son)c of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. 15But the LORD {YHWH} took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel (he wrestles with God).’

16Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD {YHWH}. You say:

‘Do not prophesy against Israel (he wrestles with God);

do not preach against the house of Isaac (he laughs).’

17Therefore this is what the LORD {YHWH} says:

‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city,

and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword.

Your land will be divided by a measuring line,

and you yourself will die on pagan \unclean/d soil.

And Israel (he wrestles with God) will surely go into exile,

away from their homeland.’”