Amos 5:13

For this reason whoever is smart ¹  keeps quiet ²  in such a time, for it is an evil ³  time.

Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.

Therefore at such a time the prudent person keeps silent, for it is an evil time.

So those who are wise will keep quiet, for it is an evil time.

Justice is a lost cause. Evil is epidemic. Decent people throw up their hands. Protest and rebuke are useless, a waste of breath.

So the wise will say nothing in that time; for it is an evil time.

Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time.

Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, For it is an evil time.

For this reason whoever is smart ¹  keeps quiet ²  in such a time, for it is an evil ³  time.

¹ tn Or “the wise”; or “the prudent.” Another option is to translate “the successful, prosperous” and understand this as a reference to the rich oppressors. See G. V. Smith, Amos, 169-70. In this case the following verb will also have a different nuance, that is, the wealthy remain silent before the abuses they perpetuate. See the note on the verb translated “keeps quiet” later in this verse.

² tn Or “moans, laments,” from a homonymic verbal root. If the rich oppressors are in view, then the verb (whether translated “will be silenced” or “will lament”) describes the result of God’s judgment upon them. See G. V. Smith, Amos, 170.

³ tn If this is a judgment announcement against the rich, then the Hebrew phrase עֵת רָעָה (’et ra’ah) must be translated, “[a] disastrous time.” See G. V. Smith, Amos, 170.