1 H ear 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,

Hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt:

2 Y ou only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities.

“ You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

3 S hall two walk together, except they have agreed?

Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?

4 W ill 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?

Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl from his den unless he has captured something ?

5 C an 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?

Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?

6 S hall the trumpet be blown in a city, and the people not be afraid? shall evil befall a city, and Jehovah hath not done it?

If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?

7 S urely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets.

8 T he lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken; who can but prophesy?

A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?

9 P ublish 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.

Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod and on the citadels in the land of Egypt and say, “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria and see the great tumults within her and the oppressions in her midst.

10 F or they know not to do right, saith Jehovah, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.

But they do not know how to do what is right,” declares the Lord, “these who hoard up violence and devastation in their citadels.”

11 T herefore 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.

Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “An enemy, even one surrounding the land, Will pull down your strength from you And your citadels will be looted.”

12 T hus 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.

Thus says the Lord, “Just as the shepherd snatches from the lion’s mouth a couple of legs or a piece of an ear, So will the sons of Israel dwelling in Samaria be snatched away— With the corner of a bed and the cover of a couch!

13 H ear ye, and testify against the house of Jacob, saith the Lord Jehovah, the God of hosts.

“Hear and testify against the house of Jacob,” Declares the Lord God, the God of hosts.

14 F or 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.

“For on the day that I punish Israel’s transgressions, I will also punish the altars of Bethel; The horns of the altar will be cut off And they will fall to the ground.

15 A nd 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.

“I will also smite the winter house together with the summer house; The houses of ivory will also perish And the great houses will come to an end,” Declares the Lord.