Authority of the Prophet’s Message

Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying:

“You(A) only have I known of all the families of the earth;
(B)Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey?
Will a young lion [a]cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing?
Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where there is no [b]trap for it?
Will a snare spring up from the earth, if it has caught nothing at all?
If a [c]trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid?
(C)If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?

Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless (D)He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
A lion has roared!
Who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken!
(E)Who can but prophesy?

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Footnotes

  1. Amos 3:4 Lit. give his voice
  2. Amos 3:5 Or bait or lure
  3. Amos 3:6 ram’s horn

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,

“You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

Can two walk together, unless they be agreed?

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?

Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth where no trap is for him? Shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?

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?

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, unless He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.

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

Read full chapter