Amos 3:9-15

New International Reader's Version

⁹ Speak to the people in the forts of Ashdod and Egypt.
    Tell them, “Gather together
    on the mountains of Samaria.
Look at the great trouble in that city.
    Its people are committing many crimes.”

¹⁰ “They do not know how to do what is right,”
    announces the Lord.
    “They store up stolen goods in their forts.”

“Enemies will take over your land.
    They will pull down your places of safety.
    They will rob your forts.”

“Suppose a shepherd saves only two leg bones
    from a lion’s mouth.
Or he might save only a piece of an ear.
    That is how the Israelites living in Samaria will be saved.
They will only have a board
    from a bed
and a piece of cloth
    from a couch.”

¹⁴ “I will punish Israel for their sins.
    When I do, I will destroy their altars at Bethel.
The horns that stick out from the upper corners
    of their main altar will be cut off.
    They will fall to the ground.
¹⁵ I will tear down their winter houses.
    I will also pull down their summer houses.
The houses they have decorated with ivory will be destroyed.
    And their princely houses will be torn down,”
    announces the Lord.