1:2 Amos said:
“The Lord comes roaring out of Zion;
from Jerusalem he comes bellowing!
The shepherds’ pastures wilt;
the summit of Carmel withers.”
1:3 This is what the Lord says:
“Because Damascus has committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my
decree of judgment.
They ripped through Gilead like threshing sledges with iron teeth.
1:4 So I will set Hazael’s house on fire;
fire will consume Ben Hadad’s fortresses.
1:5 I will break the bar on the gate of Damascus.
I will remove the ruler from Wicked Valley,
the one who holds the royal scepter from Beth Eden.
The people of Aram will be deported to Kir.”
The Lord has spoken!
1:6 This is what the Lord says:
“Because Gaza has committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.
They deported a whole community and sold them to Edom.
1:7 So I will set Gaza’s city wall on fire;
fire will consume her fortresses.
1:8 I will remove the ruler from Ashdod,
the one who holds the royal scepter from Ashkelon.
I will strike Ekron with my hand;
the rest of the Philistines will also die.”
The sovereign Lord has spoken!
1:9 This is what the Lord says:
“Because Tyre has committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.
They sold a whole community to Edom;
they failed to observe a treaty of brotherhood.
1:10 So I will set fire to Tyre’s city wall;
fire will consume her fortresses.”
1:11 This is what the Lord says:
“Because Edom has committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.
He chased his brother with a sword;
he wiped out his allies.
In his anger he tore them apart without stopping to rest;
in his fury he relentlessly attacked them.
1:12 So I will set Teman on fire;
fire will consume Bozrah’s fortresses.”
1:13 This is what the Lord says:
“Because the Ammonites have committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.
They ripped open Gilead’s pregnant women
so they could expand their territory.
1:14 So I will set fire to Rabbah’s city wall;
fire will consume her fortresses.
War cries will be heard on the day of battle;
a strong gale will blow on the day of the windstorm.
1:15 Ammon’s king will be deported;
he and his officials will be carried off together.”
The Lord has spoken!