[1] Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying: [2] "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." [3] Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? [4] Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing? [5] Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where there is no trap for it? Will a snare spring up from the earth, if it has caught nothing at all? [6] If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the LORD have done it? [7] Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. [8] A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy? [9] "Proclaim in the palaces at Ashdod, And in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say: 'Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; See great tumults in her midst, And the oppressed within her. [10] For they do not know to do right,' Says the LORD, 'Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.'" [11] Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "An adversary shall be all around the land; He shall sap your strength from you, And your palaces shall be plundered." [12] Thus says the LORD: "As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion Two legs or a piece of an ear, So shall the children of Israel be taken out Who dwell in Samaria- In the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch! [13] Hear and testify against the house of Jacob," Says the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, [14] "That in the day I punish Israel for their transgressions, I will also visit destruction on the altars of Bethel; And the horns of the altar shall be cut off And fall to the ground. [15] I will destroy the winter house along with the summer house; The houses of ivory shall perish, And the great houses shall have an end," Says the LORD.
