Read the Bible

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."

³ Can two people walk together
    without agreeing on the direction?
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?
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?
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?

⁷ Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything
    until he reveals his plans to 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?
⁹ Announce this to the leaders of Philistia^[a]
    and to the great ones of Egypt:
"Take your seats now on the hills around Samaria,
    and witness the chaos and oppression in Israel."

¹⁰ "My people have forgotten how to do right,"
    says the Lord.
"Their fortresses are filled with wealth
    taken by theft and violence.
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."

"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]

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.
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.