Woe to the Complacent

Woe to those who are at ease in Zion(A)
and to those who feel secure on the hill of Samaria—
the notable people in this first of the nations,
those the house of Israel comes to.
Cross over to Calneh(B) and see;
go from there to great Hamath;(C)
then go down to Gath(D) of the Philistines.
Are you better than these kingdoms?
Is their territory larger than yours?
You dismiss any thought of the evil day(E)
and bring in a reign of violence.(F)

They lie on beds inlaid with ivory,(G)
sprawled out on their couches,(H)
and dine on lambs from the flock(I)
and calves from the stall.
They improvise songs[a] to the sound of the harp(J)
and invent[b] their own musical instruments like David.(K)
They drink wine by the bowlful(L)
and anoint themselves with the finest oils
but do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.(M)
Therefore, they will now go into exile
as the first of the captives,(N)
and the feasting(O) of those who sprawl out
will come to an end.

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Notas al pie

  1. Amos 6:5 Hb obscure
  2. Amos 6:5 Or compose on

Warnings to the self-satisfied

    Doom to those resting comfortably in Zion
        and those trusting in Mount Samaria,
    the chiefs of the nations,
        to whom the house of Israel comes!
    Cross over to Calneh and see;
        from there go to Hamath the great;
        then go down to Gath of the Philistines.
    Are you better than these kingdoms?
        Or is your territory greater than their territory?

    Doom to those who ignore the evil day
        and make violent rule draw near:
    who lie on beds of ivory,
        stretch out on their couches,
        eat lambs from the flock,
        and bull calves from the stall;
    who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp,
        and, like David, compose tunes on musical instruments;
    who drink bowls of wine,
        put the best of oils on themselves,
        but who aren’t grieved over the ruin of Joseph!
    Therefore, they will now be the first to be taken away,
        and the feast of those who lounged at the table will pass away.

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