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1 <1> This is the message of Amos, one of the shepherds from the city Tekoa. He saw visions[1] about Israel during the time that Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Joash was king of Israel. This was two years before the earthquake.
<2> Amos said:
"The Lord will shout like a lion in Zion.[2]
His loud voice will roar from Jerusalem.
The green pastures of the shepherds will turn brown and die.
Even Mount Carmel[3] will become dry."
<3> This is what the Lord says: "I will definitely punish the people of Damascus for the many crimes they did.[4] They crushed the people of Gilead[5] with iron threshing[6] tools. <4> So I will start a fire at Hazael's[7] house that will destroy the great palaces of Ben-Hadad.[8]
<5> "I will also break open the gates of Damascus[9] and remove the one who sits on the throne in the Valley of Aven.[10] I will remove the symbol of power from Beth-Eden,[11] and the Arameans will be defeated and taken back to Kir.[12]" This is what the Lord said.
<6> This is what the Lord says: "I will definitely punish the people of Gaza[13] for the many crimes they did. They took an entire nation of people and sent them as slaves to Edom.[14] <7> So I will start a fire at the wall of Gaza that will destroy the high towers in Gaza. <8> And I will destroy the one who sits on the throne in Ashdod. I will destroy the king who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will punish the people of Ekron.[15] Then the Philistines who are still left alive will die." This is what the Lord God said.
<9> This is what the Lord says: "I will definitely punish the people of Tyre[16] for the many crimes they did. They took an entire nation and sent them as slaves to Edom.[17] They did not remember the agreement they had made with their brothers (Israel). <10> So I will start a fire at the walls of Tyre that will destroy the high towers in Tyre."
<11> This is what the Lord says: "I will definitely punish the people of Edom[18] for the many crimes they did. Edom chased his brother (Israel) with the sword. Edom showed no mercy. Edom's anger continued forever-he kept tearing and tearing at Israel like a wild animal. <12> So I will start a fire at Teman[19] that will destroy the high towers of Bozrah.[20]"
<13> This is what the Lord says: "I will definitely punish the Ammonites[21] for the many crimes they did. They killed the pregnant women in Gilead.[22] The Ammonites did this so that they could take that land and make their country larger. <14> So I will start a fire at the wall of Rabbah[23] that will destroy the high towers of Rabbah. Troubles will come to them like a whirlwind[24] into their country. <15> Then their kings and leaders will be captured. They will all be taken together." This is what the Lord said.
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.