9 Proclaim to the citadel fortresses in Ashdod and the citadel fortresses in the land of Egypt and say: “Gather on the mountains of Samaria and see the great panic in her midst and the oppression in her midst!” 10 “They do not know how to do right,” ⌊declares Yahweh⌋,d “those who store up violence and destruction in their citadel fortresses.” 11 Therefore, thus says my Lord Yahweh, “A foe shall surround the land and bring down your strongholds, and your citadel fortresses shall be plundered.” 12 Thus says Yahweh, “Just as the shepherd rescues two legs or a piece of an ear from the mouth of the lion, so shall the ⌊people⌋e of Israel who dwell in Samaria, with the corner of a couch and the damask of a bed.” 13 “Listen and testify against the house of Jacob,” ⌊declares⌋f my Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts. 14 “For on the day I punish Israel for ⌊its transgression⌋,g I will also punish the altars of Bethel and the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground. 15 I will ruin the winter house as well as the summer house, and the houses of ivory will perish and the great houses shall come to an end,” ⌊declares⌋h Yahweh.

Social and Spiritual Corruption

4 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who live on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the powerless, who crush the poor, who say to their husbands, “Bring something so that we may drink!” 2 My Lord Yahweh has sworn by his holiness that, “Behold, the days are coming upon you ⌊when they⌋a will take you away with hooks, even the last of you with fishing hooks. 3 And you shall leave through breaches in the wall, each one in front of her. You will be dragged off toward Harmon,”b ⌊declares⌋c Yahweh. 4 “Come to Bethel and transgress; to Gilgal and ⌊multiply transgression⌋!d Bring your sacrifices in the morning and your tithes on the ⌊third day⌋.e 5 And bring a thank offering of leavened bread, and proclaim freewill offerings, pronounce them, for so you love to do, O ⌊people⌋f of Israel,” is the declaration of my Lord Yahweh.