Study Desk

Can two walk together^(d) without agreeing to meet?^[a]

Does a lion roar^(e) in the forest when it has no prey? Does a young lion growl from its lair unless it has captured something?

Does a bird land in a trap on the ground if there is no bait for it? Does a trap spring from the ground when it has caught nothing?

If a ram's horn^(f) is blown in a city, aren't people afraid?^(g) If a disaster^(h) occurs in a city, hasn't the Lord done it?⁽ⁱ⁾

Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing His counsel to His servants the prophets.^(j)

A lion has roared;^(k) who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken;^(l) who will not prophesy?^(m)

Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod⁽ⁿ⁾ and on the citadels in the land of Egypt: Assemble on the mountains of Samaria^(o) and see the great turmoil in the city and the acts of oppression within it.^(p)

The people are incapable of doing right^(q)— this is the Lord 's declaration— those who store up violence and destruction^(r) in their citadels.

Therefore, the Lord God says: An enemy^(s) will surround the land; he will destroy^(t) your strongholds and plunder your citadels.^(u)

The Lord says: As the shepherd snatches two legs or a piece of an ear from the lion's mouth,^(v) so the Israelites who live in Samaria will be rescued with only the corner of a bed^(w) or the^[b] cushion^[c] of a couch.^[d](x)

Listen and testify^(y) against the house of Jacob— this is the declaration of the Lord God , the God of Hosts.

I will punish the altars of Bethel^(z) on the day I punish Israel for its crimes; the horns of the altar^(aa) will be cut off and fall to the ground.^(ab)

I will demolish the winter house^(ac) and the summer house;^(ad) the houses inlaid with ivory^(ae) will be destroyed, and the great houses^(af) will come to an end. This is the Lord 's declaration.

Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan^(a) who are on the hill of Samaria, women who oppress the poor and crush the needy,^(b) who say to their husbands, "Bring us something to drink."^(c)

The Lord God has sworn^(d) by His holiness:^(e) Look, the days are coming^[a] when you will be taken away with hooks,^(f) every last one of you with fishhooks.^(g)

You will go through breaches in the wall,^(h) each woman straight ahead, and you will be driven along toward Harmon. This is the Lord 's declaration.