1Hear this word that Jehovah hath spoken against you , O children of Israel , against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt , saying , 2You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities .
The Consequences of Sin
3Shall two walk together , except they have agreed ? 4Will a lion roar in the forest , when he hath no prey ? will a young lion cry out of his den , if he have taken nothing ? 5Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth , where no gin is set for him ? shall a snare spring up from the ground, and have taken nothing at all ? 6Shall the trumpet be blown in a city , and the people not be afraid ? shall evil befall a city , and Jehovah hath not done it ? 7Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing , except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets . 8The lion hath roared ; who will not fear ? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken ; who can but prophesy ?
Judgment Against Israel's Injustice
9Publish ye in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt , and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria , and behold what great tumults are therein , and what oppressions in the midst thereof . 10For they know not to do right , saith Jehovah , who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
The Day of the Lord
11Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah : An adversary there shall be , even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be plundered. 12Thus saith Jehovah : As the shepherd rescueth out of the mouth of the lion two legs , or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel be rescued that sit in Samaria in the corner of a couch , and on the silken cushions of a bed . 13Hear ye , and testify against the house of Jacob , saith the Lord Jehovah , the God of hosts . 14For in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him , I will also visit the altars of Beth-el ; and the horns of the altar shall be cut off , and fall to the ground. 15And I will smite the winter-house with the summer-house; and the houses of ivory shall perish , and the great houses shall have an end , saith Jehovah .