Study Desk

Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

Does a lion roar^(f) in the thicket when it has no prey?^(g) Does it growl in its den when it has caught nothing?

Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground when no bait^(h) is there? Does a trap spring up from the ground if it has not caught anything?

When a trumpet⁽ⁱ⁾ sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster^(j) comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?^(k)

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan^(l) to his servants the prophets.^(m)

The lion⁽ⁿ⁾ has roared^(o)— who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken— who can but prophesy?^(p)

Proclaim to the fortresses of Ashdod^(q) and to the fortresses of Egypt: "Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria;^(r) see the great unrest within her and the oppression among her people."

"They do not know how to do right,^(s)" declares the Lord , "who store up in their fortresses^(t) what they have plundered^(u) and looted."

Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "An enemy will overrun your land, pull down your strongholds and plunder your fortresses.^(v)"

This is what the Lord says: "As a shepherd rescues from the lion's^(w) mouth only two leg bones or a piece of an ear, so will the Israelites living in Samaria be rescued, with only the head of a bed and a piece of fabric^[a] from a couch.^[b](x)"

"Hear this and testify^(y) against the descendants of Jacob," declares the Lord, the Lord God Almighty.

"On the day I punish^(z) Israel for her sins, I will destroy the altars of Bethel;^(aa) the horns^(ab) of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.

I will tear down the winter house^(ac) along with the summer house;^(ad) the houses adorned with ivory^(ae) will be destroyed and the mansions^(af) will be demolished,^(ag)" declares the Lord .^(ah)

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan^(a) on Mount Samaria,^(b) you women who oppress the poor^(c) and crush the needy^(d) and say to your husbands,^(e) "Bring us some drinks!^(f)"

The Sovereign Lord has sworn by his holiness: "The time^(g) will surely come when you will be taken away^(h) with hooks,⁽ⁱ⁾ the last of you with fishhooks.^[a]

You will each go straight out through breaches in the wall,^(j) and you will be cast out toward Harmon,^[b]" declares the Lord .