1 H ear 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:

O people of Israel, hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you and against the whole family which He brought up from the land of Egypt.

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

“You are the only ones I have chosen among all the families of the earth. So I must punish you for all your sins.”

3 D o two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?

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

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

Does a lion make noise among the trees when he has no food? Does a young lion cry out from his home if he has not caught anything?

5 D oes 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?

Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no food to tempt it? Does a trap jump up from the ground when it does not catch anything?

6 I f 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?

Are not the people afraid when a horn is blown in a city? When trouble comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?

7 S urely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets.

For sure the Lord does not do anything without making His plan known to His servants who speak for Him.

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

The lion has made a noise! Who will not be afraid? The Lord God has spoken! Who can keep from speaking His Word? Israel Will Be Punished for Its Sin

9 P roclaim 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.

Say to the people who live in the strong cities of Ashdod and Egypt, “Gather together on the mountains of Samaria. See all the trouble within her and how her people suffer.

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

They do not know how to do what is right,” says the Lord. “They store up in their strong cities what they have fought for and robbed.”

11 T herefore, 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.”

So the Lord God says, “Those who hate you will gather around the land. They will pull down your strong-places and rob your strong cities.”

12 T hus 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!

The Lord says, “As the shepherd saves from the lion’s mouth just two legs or a piece of an ear, so will the people of Israel living in Samaria be saved, with the corner of a bed and a part of a cover.

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

Hear and speak against the family of Jacob,” says the Lord God, the God of All.

14 “ 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.

“On the day I punish Israel for her sins, I will punish the altars of Bethel. The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.

15 “ 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.

I will destroy the winter house together with the summer house. The houses of ivory will be destroyed, and the beautiful houses will come to an end,” says the Lord.