Amos 3:6-15 ▼

6 If an alarm sounds in a city, do people not fear? If disaster overtakes a city, is the LORD not responsible?

7 Certainly the sovereign LORD does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

8 A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? The sovereign LORD has spoken! Who can refuse to prophesy?

9 Make this announcement in the fortresses of Ashdod and in the fortresses in the land of Egypt. Say this: |Gather on the hills around Samaria! Observe the many acts of violence taking place within the city, the oppressive deeds occurring in it.|

10 They do not know how to do what is right.| (The LORD is speaking.) |They store up the spoils of destructive violence in their fortresses.

11 Therefore,| says the sovereign LORD, |an enemy will encircle the land. He will take away your power; your fortresses will be looted.|

12 This is what the LORD says: |Just as a shepherd salvages from the lion's mouth a couple of leg bones or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites who live in Samaria will be salvaged. They will be left with just a corner of a bed, and a part of a couch.|

13 Listen and warn the family of Jacob! The sovereign LORD, the God who commands armies, is speaking!

14 Certainly when I punish Israel for their covenant transgressions, I will destroy Bethel's altars. The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.

15 I will destroy both the winter and summer houses. The houses filled with ivory will be ruined, the great houses will be swept away.| The LORD is speaking!