Amos, chapter 1
Messages of Judgment Against Israel and Its Neighbors
Amos, the shepherd farmer from Judah, goes to Israel to preach the Lord's messages of judgment against Israel and its neighbors, including Judah. The nations are to be punished because their ancestors treated the Israelite people badly in the past. Israel will be punished because the nation's rich and powerful people are taking advantage of the poor and worshiping foreign gods.
am Amos. And I raised sheep near the town of Tekoa when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.
Two years before the earthquake, the Lord gave me several messages about Israel, 2 and I said:
When the Lord roars from Jerusalem,
pasturelands and Mount Carmel
dry up and turn brown.
Judgment on Syria
3 The Lord said:
I will punish Syria for countless crimes,
and I won't change my mind.
They dragged logs with spikes over the people of Gilead.
4Now I will burn down the palaces and fortresses
of King Hazael and of King Benhadad.
5I will break through the gates of Damascus.
I will destroy the people of Wicked Valley
and the ruler of Beth-Eden.
Then the Syrians will be dragged as prisoners to Kir.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
Judgment on Philistia
6 The Lord said:
I will punish Philistia for countless crimes,
and I won't change my mind.
They dragged off my people from town after town
to sell them as slaves to the Edomites.
7That's why I will burn down the walls and fortresses
of the city of Gaza.
8I will destroy the king of Ashdod
and the ruler of Ashkelon.
I will strike down Ekron, and that will be the end
of the Philistines.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
Judgment on Phoenicia
9 The Lord said:
I will punish Phoenicia for countless crimes,
and I won't change my mind.
They broke their treaty and dragged off my people
from town after town
to sell them as slaves to the Edomites.
10That's why I will send flames to burn down the city of Tyre
along with its fortresses.
Judgment on Edom
11 The Lord said:
I will punish Edom for countless crimes,
and I won't change my mind.
They killed their own relatives and were so terribly furious
that they showed no mercy.
12Now I will send fire to wipe out the fortresses
of Teman and Bozrah.
Judgment on Ammon
13 The Lord said:
I will punish Ammon for countless crimes,
and I won't change my mind.
In Gilead they ripped open pregnant women,
just to take the land.
14Now I will send fire to destroy the walls and fortresses
of Rabbah.
Enemies will shout and attack like a whirlwind.
15Ammon's king and leaders will be dragged away.
I, the Lord, have spoken!