Amos 3

1Hear this word that Yahweh has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying:

2You only have I known from among all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

3Do two walk together unless they have agreed to meet?

4Does a lion roar in the forest when it has no prey? Does a young lion raise its voice from its den unless it has caught something?

5Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no snare for it? Does a trap spring up from the ground when it has caught nothing at all?

6If a trumpet is blown in a city, do not the people tremble? If disaster happens in a city, has not Yahweh done it?

7For the Lord GOD does nothing unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.

8A lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?

9Proclaim to the citadels of Ashdod and to the citadels in the land of Egypt, and say, “Assemble on the mountains of Samaria, and see the many tumults within her, and the oppressed in her midst.”

10They do not know how to do what is right—oracle of Yahweh—those who store up violence and destruction in their citadels.

11Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: An adversary shall surround the land, and he shall bring down your strength from you, and your citadels shall be plundered.

12Thus says Yahweh: As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so will the sons of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued—with the corner of a bed and the cover of a couch.

13Hear and testify against the house of Jacob, declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts.

14For on the day when I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will also punish the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.

15And I will strike the winter house along with the summer house, and the houses of ivory will perish, and many houses will come to an end," declares Yahweh.