Amos 2

1 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Moab because they ^{a2:1 Lit. he; i.e. the nation personified as an individual} cremated the bones of the king of Edom, burning them ^{b2:1 The Heb. lacks burning them} to lime.ISV — Amos 2:1

2 So I will send down fire upon Moab, and it will devour the fortified citadels of Kerioth. Moab will die in the uproar of battle, ^{c2:2 The Heb. lacks of battle} with a war cry and with the trumpeting of the ram’s horn.ISV — Amos 2:2

3 I will execute their rulers among them, killing all of their officials as well,” says the LORD.ISV — Amos 2:3

4 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Judah —and now for a fourth— I will not turn away; because they ^{d2:4 Lit. he; i.e. the nation personified as an individual} rejected the Law of the LORD and did not keep his statutes. Their own lies made them wander off, following along the same path their ancestors walked.ISV — Amos 2:4

5 So I will send down fire upon Judah, and it will devour the fortified citadels of Jerusalem.”ISV — Amos 2:5

6 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel —and now for a fourth— I will not turn away; because they sold the righteous for money, and the poor for sandals,ISV — Amos 2:6

7 moving quickly ^{e2:7 Lit. They chase} to rub the face ^{f2:7 Lit. head} of the needy in the dirt. Corrupting ^{g2:7 Lit. turning aside} the ways of the humble, a man and his father go to the same woman, deliberately defiling my holy name.ISV — Amos 2:7

8 They lay down beside every altar, on garments pledged as collateral, ^{h2:8 i.e. violating Deut 24:10-13 in addition to idolatry} drinking wine paid for through fines imposed by the temple of their gods.ISV — Amos 2:8

9 Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorites in front of them, though their height seemed like a cedar, ^{i2:9 i.e. a genus of coniferous evergreen in the family Pinaceae} though their strength seemed like an oak, but whose fruit I destroyed from above and the roots from beneath.ISV — Amos 2:9

10 Furthermore, I brought you up from the land of Egypt, leading you in the wilderness for 40 years, to take possession of the land of the Amorites.ISV — Amos 2:10

11 I also raised up your sons to be prophets, and from your young men I raised up Nazirites. ^{j2:11 i.e. men who make a special vow with God (cf. Num 6:1-21)} Is this not true, people of Israel?” declares the LORD.ISV — Amos 2:11

12 “But you forced the Nazirites to drink wine, and commanded the prophets, ‘You are not to prophesy!’ISV — Amos 2:12

13 “Oh, how I am burdened down with you, as a wagon is overloaded with harvested grain!ISV — Amos 2:13

14 So the swift runner will not escape, ^{k2:14 Lit. So flight will escape the swift runner} the valiant will not fortify his strength, and the mighty warrior will not save his life.ISV — Amos 2:14

15 The skilled archer will not be able to stand, the swift runner will not survive, and the mounted rider will not preserve his own life.ISV — Amos 2:15

16 Even the bravest of elite troops will run away naked at that time,” declares the LORD.ISV — Amos 2:16