1 People of Israel,I rescued you from Egypt.Now listen to my judgmentagainst you.
2 Of all nations on earth,you are the only oneI have chosen.That's why I will punish youbecause of your sins.
3 Can two people walk togetherwithout agreeing to meet?
4 Does a lion roar in the forestunless it has caughta victim?Does it growl in its denunless it is eating?
5 How can anyone catch a birdwithout using a net?Does a trap spring shutunless something is caught?
6 Isn't the whole city frightenedwhen the trumpetsignals an attack?Isn't the Lord the one who bringsdisaster on a city?
7 Whatever the Lord Godplans to do,he tells his servants,the prophets.
8 Everyone is terrifiedwhen a lion roars—and ordinary peoplebecome prophetswhen the Lord God speaks.
9 Here is a messagefor the leadersof Philistia and Egypt—tell everyone to come togetheron the hills of Samaria.Let them see the injusticeand the lawlessnessin that city.
10 The Lord has saidthat they don't even know howto do right.They have become richfrom violence and robbery.
11 And so the Lord God has swornthat they will be surrounded.Enemies will break throughtheir defensesand steal their treasures.
12 The Lord has promisedthat only a few from Samariawill escape with their livesand with some broken piecesof their beds and couches.It will be like when a shepherdrescues two leg bonesand part of a sheep's earfrom the jaws of a lion.
13 The Lord God All-Powerfultold me to speak this messageagainst Jacob's descendants:
14 When I, the Lord, punish Israelfor their sins,I will destroy the altarsat Bethel.Even the corners of the altarwill be left in the dirt.
15 I will tear down winter homesand summer homes.Houses decorated with ivoryand all other mansionswill be gone forever.I, the Lord, have spoken!