1
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:
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, unless they are agreed?
4
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing?
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Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where there is no trap for it? Will a snare spring up from the earth, if it has caught nothing at all?
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If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?
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Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
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A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?
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"Proclaim in the palaces at Ashdod, And in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say: 'Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; See great tumults in her midst, And the oppressed within her.
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For they do not know to do right,' Says the Lord, 'Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.' "
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Therefore thus says the Lord God: "An adversary shall be all around the land; He shall sap your strength from you, And your palaces shall be plundered."
12
Thus says the Lord: "As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion Two legs or a piece of an ear, So shall the children of Israel be taken out Who dwell in Samaria-- In the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch!
13
Hear and testify against the house of Jacob," Says the Lord God, the God of hosts,
14
"That in the day I punish Israel for their transgressions, I will also visit destruction on the altars of Bethel; And the horns of the altar shall be cut off And fall to the ground.