1
Here tells Amos, one of the shepherd folk at Thecue, what visions he had con-cerning Israel. In Juda, Ozias was then reigning, in Israel, Jeroboam son of Joas, and it was two years before the earthquake.
2
Loud as roaring of lion, said he, the Lord will speak in thunder from his citadel at Jerusalem; forlorn they lie, yonder pastures the shepherds loved once, the heights of Carmel all shrivelled away.
3
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fall fire on Azael’s court, to burn down all the strongholds of Benadad!
5
Broken Damascus gate shall be, nor any be left to dwell in Aven’s plain, or rule over Eden valley; far off, at Cir,✻ the Syrian folk shall go into banishment, the Lord says.
6
This, too: Thrice forfeit Gaza, and forfeit once again, that secured for the men of Edom their full toll of captives;✻
7
fall fire on Gaza’s walls, to burn down all its strongholds!
8
None shall dwell in Azotus, none rule over Ascalon; upon Accaron, too, my stroke shall fall; every trace of Philistia vanished and gone, the Lord God says.
9
This too: Thrice forfeit Tyre, and forfeit once again, that gave Edom its full toll of captives, as though bond there were none between brethren;
10
fall fire on its walls, to burn down its strongholds!
11
This too: Thrice forfeit Edom, and forfeit once again, that would hunt down his own brother at the sword’s point; unnatural cruelty, so to hug his enmity, nor ever let rancour die down;
12
fire fall on Theman, to burn down the strongholds of Bosra!
13
This, too: Thrice forfeit Ammon, and forfeit once again, that so coveted Galaad’s lands, every mother’s womb he would rip open;
14
fire fall on Rabba’s walls, to burn down its strongholds! Hark to the bray of battle, blustering of the storm-wind!
15
Into exile Melchom✻ shall go, with all his retinue.
