[1] Listen to this message which I, the LORD, have spoken against you Israelites, against your whole family that I brought out of Egypt. [2] Out of all the families on earth, I have known no one else but you. That is why I am going to punish you for all your sins. [3] Do two people ever walk together without meeting first? [4] Does a lion roar in the forest if it has no prey? Does a young lion growl in its den unless it has caught something? [5] Does a bird land in a trap on the ground if there's no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the ground unless it has caught something? [6] If a ram's horn sounds an alarm in a city, won't the people be alarmed? If there is a disaster in a city, hasn't the LORD done it? [7] Certainly, the Almighty LORD doesn't do anything unless he first reveals his secret to his servants the prophets. [8] The lion has roared. Who isn't afraid? The Almighty LORD has spoken. Who can keep from prophesying? [9] Announce in the palaces of Ashdod and in the palaces of Egypt, "Gather together on the mountains of Samaria. See the widespread confusion and oppression in Samaria." [10] Those who collect profits in their palaces through violent and destructive acts don't know how to do what is right, declares the LORD. [11] This is what the Almighty LORD says: An enemy will surround your land, strip you of your defenses, and loot your palaces. [12] This is what the LORD says: As a shepherd rescues two legs or a piece of an ear out of a lion's mouth, so the Israelites living in Samaria will be rescued, having only a corner of a bed or a piece of a couch. [13] Listen, and testify against the descendants of Jacob, declares the Almighty LORD, the God of Armies. [14] On the day I punish Israel for its disobedience, I will also destroy the altars at Bethel. The horns of the altar will be cut off and will fall to the ground. [15] I will tear down winter houses as well as summer houses. Houses decorated with ivory will be destroyed. Mansions will be demolished, declares the LORD.
