Study Desk

The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa^(a)—the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake,^(b) when Uzziah^(c) was king of Judah and Jeroboam^(d) son of Jehoash^[a] was king of Israel.^(e)

He said: "The Lord roars^(f) from Zion and thunders^(g) from Jerusalem;^(h) the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel⁽ⁱ⁾ withers."^(j)

This is what the Lord says: "For three sins of Damascus,^(k) even for four, I will not relent.^(l) Because she threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth,

I will send fire^(m) on the house of Hazael⁽ⁿ⁾ that will consume the fortresses^(o) of Ben-Hadad.^(p)

I will break down the gate^(q) of Damascus; I will destroy the king who is in^[b] the Valley of Aven^[c] and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden.^(r) The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir,^(s)" says the Lord .^(t)

This is what the Lord says: "For three sins of Gaza,^(u) even for four, I will not relent.^(v) Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom,^(w)

I will send fire on the walls of Gaza that will consume her fortresses.

I will destroy the king^[d] of Ashdod^(x) and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn my hand^(y) against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines^(z) are dead,"^(aa) says the Sovereign Lord .^(ab)

This is what the Lord says: "For three sins of Tyre,^(ac) even for four, I will not relent.^(ad) Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood,^(ae)

I will send fire on the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses.^(af)"

This is what the Lord says: "For three sins of Edom,^(ag) even for four, I will not relent. Because he pursued his brother with a sword^(ah) and slaughtered the women of the land, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked,^(ai)

I will send fire on Teman^(aj) that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah.^(ak)"

This is what the Lord says: "For three sins of Ammon,^(al) even for four, I will not relent. Because he ripped open the pregnant women^(am) of Gilead in order to extend his borders,

I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah^(an) that will consume^(ao) her fortresses amid war cries^(ap) on the day of battle, amid violent winds^(aq) on a stormy day.

Her king^[e] will go into exile, he and his officials together,^(ar)" says the Lord .^(as)