Amós 3

1Listen to this message, Israelites, which the Lordhas spoken against you, against the whole nation that I brought out of Egypt: 2You alone have I cared for of all the nations of the world, this is why I will punish you for your crimes. 3Do two walk together unless they agreed to meet? 4Does a lion roar in the forest when there is no prey for him? a young lion cry out in his den unless he has caught something? 5Does a bird swoop down into a trap if no bait is set for it? Does a trap spring up from the ground if nothing sets it off? 6Can a trumpet be blown in a city and the people not tremble? Can disaster strike a city and the Lordnot have caused it? 7Surely the Lord Goddoes nothing without revealing his purpose to his servants the prophets. 8The lion has roared; who does not fear? The Lord Godhas spoken; who will not prophesy? 9Proclaim over the palaces in Ashdod, and over the palaces in the land of Egypt: upon the mountain of Samaria, and see the violent turmoil, the acts of oppression in her midst. 10For they do not know how to do right. They are heaping up violence and oppression in their palaces, says the . Lord 11Therefore the Lord Godsays: An enemy will surround the land, he will strip your strength from you. and your palaces will be looted. 12The Lordsays: Just as a shepherd rescues from the jaws of a lion two shinbones or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites living in Sameria will be rescued – with the corner of a couch, and the damask of a divan! 13Listen and testify against the house of Jacob, says the Lord , Godthe God of hosts. 14On the day when I punish Israel for their crimes, I will also visit in judgment the altars of Bethel, the horns of the altar will be hacked off, and they will fall to the ground.