CHAPTER 3
Hear
this
word
that
the LORD
has spoken
against you,
O children
of Israel,
against
the entire
clan
that
I brought up
out
of Egypt:
“You
only
have I known
from all
the clans
of the earth;
therefore
I will punish
you for all
your iniquities.
Does a lion
roar
in the forest
when he has no
prey?
Does a young lion
growl
in his den
if
he has caught
nothing?
Does a bird
land
in
a snare
where no
bait has been set?
Does a trap
spring
from
the ground
when it has
nothing
to catch?
If
a trumpet
sounds
in a city,
will the people
not
tremble?
If
calamity
comes
to a city,
has not
the LORD
caused it?
Proclaim
to
the citadels
of Ashdod
as well as
the citadels
of Egypt:
‘Assemble
on
the mountains
of Samaria;
see
the great
unrest
in the city
and the acts of oppression
in her midst.
For they know
not
how to do
right—
declares
the LORD—
those who store up
violence
and destruction
in their citadels.’”
Therefore
this is what
the Lord
GOD
says:
“An enemy
will surround
the land;
he will pull down
your strongholds
and plunder
your citadels.”
This is what
the LORD
says:
“As
the shepherd
snatches
from the mouth
of the lion
two
legs
or
a piece
of an ear,
so
the Israelites
dwelling
in Samaria
will be snatched away
with the corner
of a bed
or the cushion
of a couch.
On the day
I punish
Israel
for their transgressions,
I will visit destruction
on
the altars
of
Bethel;
the horns
of the altar
will be cut off,
and they will fall
to the ground.
I will tear down
the winter
house
along with
the summer
house;
the houses
of ivory
will also perish,
and the mansions
will come to an end,”
declares
the LORD.