1. Hear this word, O people of Israel, That the LORD has spoken concerning you, Concerning the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt:
2. You alone have I singled out Of all the families of the earth -- That is why I will call you to account For all your iniquities.
3. Can two walk together Without having met?
4. Does a lion roar in the forest When he has no prey? Does a great beast let out a cry from its den Without having made a capture?
5. Does a bird drop on the ground -- in a trap -- With no snare there? Does a trap spring up from the ground Unless it has caught something?
6. When a ram's horn is sounded in a town, Do the people not take alarm? Can misfortune come to a town If the LORD has not caused it?
7. Indeed, my Lord GOD does nothing Without having revealed His purpose To His servants the prophets.
8. A lion has roared, Who can but fear? My Lord GOD has spoken, Who can but prophesy?
9. Proclaim in the fortresses of Ashdod And in the fortresses of the land of Egypt! Say: Gather on the hill of Samaria And witness the great outrages within her And the oppression in her midst.
10. They are incapable of doing right -- declares the LORD; They store up lawlessness and rapine In their fortresses.
11. Assuredly, Thus said my Lord GOD: An enemy, all about the land! He shall strip you of your splendor, And your fortresses shall be plundered.
12. Thus said the LORD: As a shepherd rescues from the lion's jaws Two shank bones or the tip of an ear, So shall the Israelites escape Who dwell in Samaria -- With the leg of a bed or the head of a couch.
13. Hear [this], and warn the House of Jacob -- says my Lord GOD, the God of Hosts --
14. That when I punish Israel for its transgressions, I will wreak judgment on the altar of Bethel, And the horns of the altar shall be cut off And shall fall to the ground.
15. I will wreck the winter palace Together with the summer palace; The ivory palaces shall be demolished, And the great houses shall be destroyed -- declares the LORD.
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