1
Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel , against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt , saying,
2
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities .
3
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
4
Will 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?
5
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth , where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth , and have taken nothing at all?
6
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city , and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city , and the LORD hath not done it?
7
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets .
8
The lion hath roared, who will not fear ? the Lord GOD hath spoken , who can but prophesy?
9
Publish 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 the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
10
For they know not to do right, saith the LORD , who store up violence and robbery in their palaces .
11
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land ; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
12
Thus saith the LORD ; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs , or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
13
Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob , saith the Lord GOD , the GOD of hosts,
14
That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel : and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground .
15
And 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 the LORD .