Amos 1

Introduction

1:1 The following is a record of what Amos prophesied.1 He2 was one of the herdsmen from Tekoa. These prophecies about Israel were revealed to him3 during the time of4 King Uzziah of Judah and5 King Jeroboam son of Joash of Israel, two years before the earthquake.6

God Will Judge the Surrounding Nations

1:2 Amos7 said:

“The Lord comes roaring8 out of Zion;

from Jerusalem9 he comes bellowing!10

The shepherds’ pastures wilt;11

the summit of Carmel12 withers.”13

1:3 This is what the Lord says:

“Because Damascus has committed three crimes14

make that four!15 – I will not revoke my

decree of judgment.16

They ripped through Gilead like threshing sledges with iron teeth.17

1:4 So I will set Hazael’s house18 on fire;

fire19 will consume Ben Hadad’s20 fortresses.

1:5 I will break the bar21 on the gate of Damascus.

I will remove22 the ruler23 from Wicked Valley,24

the one who holds the royal scepter from Beth Eden.25

The people of Aram will be deported to Kir.”26

The Lord has spoken!

1:6 This is what the Lord says:

“Because Gaza27 has committed three crimes28

make that four!29 – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.30

They deported a whole community31 and sold them32 to Edom.

1:7 So I will set Gaza’s city wall33 on fire;

fire34 will consume her fortresses.

1:8 I will remove35 the ruler36 from Ashdod,37

the one who holds the royal scepter from Ashkelon.38

I will strike Ekron39 with my hand;40

the rest of the Philistines will also die.”41

The sovereign Lord has spoken!

1:9 This is what the Lord says:

“Because Tyre has committed three crimes42

make that four!43 – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.44

They sold45 a whole community46 to Edom;

they failed to observe47 a treaty of brotherhood.48

1:10 So I will set fire to Tyre’s city wall;49

fire50 will consume her fortresses.”

1:11 This is what the Lord says:

“Because Edom has committed three crimes51

make that four!52 – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.53

He chased his brother54 with a sword;

he wiped out his allies.55

In his anger he tore them apart without stopping to rest;56

in his fury he relentlessly attacked them.57

1:12 So I will set Teman58 on fire;

fire59 will consume Bozrah’s60 fortresses.”

1:13 This is what the Lord says:

“Because the Ammonites have committed three crimes61

make that four!62 – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.63

They ripped open Gilead’s pregnant women64

so they could expand their territory.

1:14 So I will set fire to Rabbah’s65 city wall;66

fire67 will consume her fortresses.

War cries will be heard on the day of battle;68

a strong gale will blow on the day of the windstorm.69

1:15 Ammon’s70 king will be deported;71

he and his officials72 will be carried off73 together.”

The Lord has spoken!

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