Amos 7:1-8 ▼

1 Thus the Lord GOD showed me [a vision], and behold, He was forming a swarm of locusts when the spring crop began to sprout. And behold, the spring crop was after the king’s mowing.

2 And when the locusts had finished eating the plants of the land, then I said, “O Lord GOD, please forgive! How can Jacob stand, For he is so small [that he cannot endure this]?”

3 The LORD revoked this sentence. “It shall not take place,” said the LORD.

4 Thus the Lord GOD showed me, and behold, the Lord GOD called for punishment with fire, and it devoured the great deep [underground sources of water] and began to consume the land.

5 Then I said, “O Lord GOD, please stop! How can Jacob stand, For he is so small [that he cannot endure this]?”

6 The LORD revoked this sentence. “This also shall not be,” said the Lord GOD.

7 Thus He showed me [a vision], and behold, the Lord was standing by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand [to determine if the wall was straight or if it needed to be destroyed].

8 The LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I am setting a plumb line [as a standard] Among My people Israel [showing the defectiveness of the nation, requiring judgment]. I shall not spare them any longer. [The door of mercy is shut.]