Amos 5:1-12 ▼

1 Hear this word which I utter concerning you, this dirge, house of Israel:

2 She is fallen, to rise no more, virgin Israel; She lies abandoned on her land, with no one to raise her up.

3 For thus says the Lord GOD to the house of Israel: The city that marched out with a thousand shall be left with a hundred, Another that marched out with a hundred shall be left with ten.

4 For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel: Seek me, that you may live,

5 but do not seek Bethel; Do not come to Gilgal, and do not cross over to Beer-sheba; For Gilgal shall be led into exile and Bethel shall be no more.

6 Seek the LORD, that you may live, lest he flare up against the house of Joseph like a fire that shall consume the house of Israel, with no one to quench it.

7 The one who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn, and darkens day into night; Who summons the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the surface of the earth;

8 Who makes destruction fall suddenly upon the stronghold and brings ruin upon the fortress, the LORD is his name.

9 Woe to those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground,

10 They hate those who reprove at the gate and abhor those who speak with integrity;

11 Therefore, because you tax the destitute and exact from them levies of grain, Though you have built houses of hewn stone, you shall not live in them; Though you have planted choice vineyards, you shall not drink their wine.

12 Yes, I know how many are your crimes, how grievous your sins: Oppressing the just, accepting bribes, turning away the needy at the gate.