[1] Listen! This is your doom! It is spoken by the Lord against both Israel and Judah-against the entire family I brought from Egypt: [2] "Of all the peoples of the earth, I have chosen you alone. That is why I must punish you the more for all your sins. [3] For how can we walk together with your sins between us? [4] "Would I be roaring as a lion unless I had a reason? The fact is, I am getting ready to destroy you. Even a young lion, when it growls, shows it is ready for its food. [5] A trap doesn't snap shut unless it is stepped on; your punishment is well deserved. [6] The alarm has sounded-listen and fear! For I, the Lord, am sending disaster into your land. [7] "But always, first of all, I warn you through my prophets. This I now have done." [8] The Lion has roared-tremble in fear. The Lord God has sounded your doom-I dare not refuse to proclaim it. [9] "Call together the Assyrian and Egyptian leaders, saying, 'Take your seats now on the mountains of Samaria to witness the scandalous spectacle of all Israel's crimes.' [10] My people have forgotten what it means to do right," says the Lord. "Their beautiful homes are full of the loot from their thefts and banditry. [11] Therefore," the Lord God says, "an enemy is coming! He is surrounding them and will shatter their forts and plunder those beautiful homes." [12] The Lord says, "A shepherd tried to rescue his sheep from a lion, but it was too late; he snatched from the lion's mouth two legs and a piece of ear. So it will be when the Israelites in Samaria are finally rescued-all they will have left is half a chair and a tattered pillow. [13] "Listen to this announcement and publish it throughout all Israel," says the Lord, the Lord Almighty: [14] "On the same day that I punish Israel for her sins I will also destroy the idol altars at Bethel. The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground. [15] "And I will destroy the beautiful homes of the wealthy-their winter mansions and their summer houses too-and demolish their ivory palaces."
