New Living Translation

Darby Bible Translation

Listen to this message that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel — against the entire family I rescued from Egypt:

1

Witnesses against Israel

Hear this word that Jehovah hath spoken against you, children of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,

2

“From among all the families on the earth,
I have been intimate with you alone.
That is why I must punish you
for all your sins.”
Witnesses against Guilty Israel

2

You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore will I visit upon you all your iniquities.

3

Can two people walk together
without agreeing on the direction?

3

Shall two walk together except they be agreed?

4

Does a lion ever roar in a thicket
without first finding a victim?
Does a young lion growl in its den
without first catching its prey?

4

Will a lion roar in the forest when he hath no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den if he have taken nothing?

5

Does a bird ever get caught in a trap
that has no bait?
Does a trap spring shut
when there’s nothing to catch?

5

Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth when no gin [is laid] for him? Will the snare spring up from the earth when nothing at all hath been taken?

6

When the ram’s horn blows a warning,
shouldn’t the people be alarmed?
Does disaster come to a city
unless the LORD has planned it?

6

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and Jehovah not have done [it]?

7

Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything
until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.

7

But the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

8

The lion has roared —
so who isn’t frightened?
The Sovereign LORD has spoken —
so who can refuse to proclaim his message?

8

The lion hath roared, -- who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken, -- who can but prophesy?

9

Announce this to the leaders of Philistiaa
and to the great ones of Egypt:
“Take your seats now on the hills around Samaria,
and witness the chaos and oppression in Israel.”

9

Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great uproar in the midst thereof, and the oppressions that are within her:

10

“My people have forgotten how to do right,”
says the LORD.
“Their fortresses are filled with wealth
taken by theft and violence.

10

and they know not to do right, saith Jehovah, who store up violence and plunder in their palaces.

11

Therefore,” says the Sovereign LORD,
“an enemy is coming!
He will surround them and shatter their defenses.
Then he will plunder all their fortresses.”

11

Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: An adversary! -- even round about the land! And he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be pillaged.

12

This is what the LORD says:
“A shepherd who tries to rescue a sheep from a lion’s mouth
will recover only two legs or a piece of an ear.
So it will be for the Israelites in Samaria lying on luxurious beds,
and for the people of Damascus reclining on couches.b

12

Thus saith Jehovah: Like as the shepherd rescueth out of the jaw of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be rescued that sit in Samaria in the corner of a couch, and upon the damask of a bed.

13

“Now listen to this, and announce it throughout all Israel,c” says the Lord, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.

13

Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord Jehovah, the God of hosts,

14

“On the very day I punish Israel for its sins,
I will destroy the pagan altars at Bethel.
The horns of the altar will be cut off
and fall to the ground.

14

that in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him, I will also punish the altars of Bethel; and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.

15

And I will destroy the beautiful homes of the wealthy —
their winter mansions and their summer houses, too —
all their palaces filled with ivory,”
says the LORD.

15

And I will smite the winter-house with the summer-house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and many houses shall have an end, saith Jehovah.

Parallel

New Living Translation

Darby Bible Translation

Amos 3

Amos 3