1:1 | The following is a record of what Amos prophesied.* He* was one of the herdsmen from Tekoa. These prophecies about Israel were revealed to him* during the time of* King Uzziah of Judah and* King Jeroboam son of Joash of Israel, two years before the earthquake.* |
1:2 | Amos* said: “The Lord comes roaring* out of Zion; from Jerusalem* he comes bellowing!* The shepherds’ pastures wilt;* the summit of Carmel* withers.”* |
1:3 | This is what the Lord says: “Because Damascus has committed three crimes* – make that four!* – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.* They ripped through Gilead like threshing sledges with iron teeth.* |
1:4 | So I will set Hazael’s house* on fire; fire* will consume Ben Hadad’s* fortresses. |
1:5 | I will break the bar* on the gate of Damascus. I will remove* the ruler* from Wicked Valley,* the one who holds the royal scepter from Beth Eden.* The people of Aram will be deported to Kir.”* The Lord has spoken! |
1:6 | This is what the Lord says: “Because Gaza* has committed three crimes* – make that four!* – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.* They deported a whole community* and sold them* to Edom. |
1:7 | So I will set Gaza’s city wall* on fire; fire* will consume her fortresses. |
1:8 | I will remove* the ruler* from Ashdod,* the one who holds the royal scepter from Ashkelon.* I will strike Ekron* with my hand;* the rest of the Philistines will also die.”* The sovereign Lord has spoken! |
1:9 | This is what the Lord says: “Because Tyre has committed three crimes* – make that four!* – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.* They sold* a whole community* to Edom; they failed to observe* a treaty of brotherhood.* |
1:10 | So I will set fire to Tyre’s city wall;* fire* will consume her fortresses.” |
1:11 | This is what the Lord says: “Because Edom has committed three crimes* – make that four!* – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.* He chased his brother* with a sword; he wiped out his allies.* In his anger he tore them apart without stopping to rest;* in his fury he relentlessly attacked them.* |
1:12 | So I will set Teman* on fire; fire* will consume Bozrah’s* fortresses.” |
1:13 | This is what the Lord says: “Because the Ammonites have committed three crimes* – make that four!* – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.* They ripped open Gilead’s pregnant women* so they could expand their territory. |
1:14 | So I will set fire to Rabbah’s* city wall;* fire* will consume her fortresses. War cries will be heard on the day of battle;* a strong gale will blow on the day of the windstorm.* |
1:15 | Ammon’s* king will be deported;* he and his officials* will be carried off* together.” The Lord has spoken! |