Amos 1:1-8 ▼

1 These are the words of Amos (burden), who was among the sheepherders (sheep breeders) of Tekoa (a stockade)—what he saw concerning Israel (he wrestles with God) two years (during the two years) 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/ was king of Israel.

2 He 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.”

3 This 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), because they threshed Gilead (rocky region) with sledges of iron.

4 So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael (one who sees God) to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad (son of Hadad).

5 I will break down the gates of Damascus (well-watered land); I will cut off the ruler (the inhabitants) from the Valley of Aven (wickedness) (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}.

6 This 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).

7 So I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza (the strong), to consume its citadels.

8 I 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}.