New King James Version

New American Standard Bible

Authority of the Prophet’s Message

Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying:

1

All the Tribes Are Guilty

Hear this word which the LORD has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt:

2

“You only have I known of all the families of the earth;
Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

2

“You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth;
Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

3

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

3

Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?

4

Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey?
Will a young lion [a]cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing?

4

Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey?
Does a young lion growl from his den unless he has captured something?

5

Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where there is no [b]trap for it?
Will a snare spring up from the earth, if it has caught nothing at all?

5

Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it?
Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?

6

If a [c]trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid?
If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?

6

If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble?
If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it?

7

Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

7

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing
Unless He reveals His secret counsel
To His servants the prophets.

8

A lion has roared!
Who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken!
Who can but prophesy?

8

A lion has roared! Who will not fear?
The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?

9

Punishment of Israel’s Sins

“Proclaim in the palaces at [d]Ashdod,
And in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say:
‘Assemble on the mountains of Samaria;
See great tumults in her midst,
And the [e]oppressed within her.

9

Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod and on the citadels in the land of Egypt and say, “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria and see the great tumults within her and the oppressions in her midst.

10

For they do not know to do right,’
Says the Lord,
‘Who store up violence and [f]robbery in their palaces.’ ”

10

“But they do not know how to do what is right,” declares the LORD, “these who hoard up violence and devastation in their citadels.”

11

Therefore thus says the Lord God:
“An adversary shall be all around the land;
He shall sap your strength from you,
And your palaces shall be plundered.”

11

Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD,
“An enemy, even one surrounding the land,
Will pull down your strength from you
And your citadels will be looted.”

12

Thus says the Lord:
“As a shepherd [g]takes from the mouth of a lion
Two legs or a piece of an ear,
So shall the children of Israel be taken out
Who dwell in Samaria —
In the corner of a bed and [h]on the edge of a couch!

12

Thus says the LORD,
“Just as the shepherd snatches from the lion’s mouth a couple of legs or a piece of an ear,
So will the sons of Israel dwelling in Samaria be snatched away —
With the corner of a bed and the cover of a couch!

13

Hear and testify against the house of Jacob,”
Says the Lord God, the God of hosts,

13

“Hear and testify against the house of Jacob,”
Declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts.

14

“That in the day I punish Israel for their transgressions,
I will also visit destruction on the altars of Bethel;
And the horns of the altar shall be cut off
And fall to the ground.

14

“For on the day that I punish Israel’s transgressions,
I will also punish the altars of Bethel;
The horns of the altar will be cut off
And they will fall to the ground.

15

I will [i]destroy the winter house along with the summer house;
The houses of ivory shall perish,
And the great houses shall have an end,”
Says the Lord.

15

“I will also smite the winter house together with the summer house;
The houses of ivory will also perish
And the great houses will come to an end,”
Declares the LORD.

Parallel

New King James Version

New American Standard Bible

Amos 3

Amos 3