6 Thus says the Lord,

“For three transgressions of aIsrael and for four

I will not revoke its punishment,

Because they bsell the righteous for money

And the needy for a pair of sandals.

7 “These who 1pant after the very dust of the earth on the head of the ahelpless

Also bturn aside the way of the humble;

And a cman and his father 2resort to the same 3girl

In order to profane My holy name.

8 “On garments ataken as pledges they stretch out beside bevery altar,

And in the house of their God they cdrink the wine of those who have been fined.

9 “Yet it was I who destroyed the aAmorite before them,

1Though his bheight was like the height of cedars

And he was strong as the oaks;

I even destroyed his cfruit above and his root below.

10 “It was I who abrought you up from the land of Egypt,

And I led you in the wilderness bforty years

1That you might take possession of the land of the cAmorite.

11 “Then I araised up some of your sons to be prophets

And some of your young men to be bNazirites.

Is this not so, O sons of Israel?” declares the Lord.

12 “But you made the Nazirites drink wine,

And you commanded the prophets saying, ‘You ashall not prophesy!’

13 “Behold, I am 1aweighted down beneath you

As a wagon 2is weighted down when filled with sheaves.

14 “1aFlight will perish from the swift,

And the stalwart will not strengthen his power,

Nor the bmighty man save his 2life.

15 “He who agrasps the bow will not stand his ground,

The swift of foot will not escape,

Nor will he who rides the bhorse save his 1life.

16 “Even the 1bravest among the warriors will aflee naked in that day,” declares the Lord.

Chapter 3

All the Tribes Are Guilty

1 Hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire 1afamily which 2He brought up from the land of Egypt:

2 “aYou only have I 1chosen among all the families of the earth;

Therefore I will 2bpunish you for all your iniquities.”

3 Do two men walk together unless they have made an 1appointment?

4 Does a alion roar in the forest when he has no prey?

Does a young lion 1growl from his den unless he has captured something?

5 Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no 1bait in it?

Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?

6 If a atrumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble?

If a bcalamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?

7 1Surely the Lord 2God does nothing

Unless He areveals His secret counsel

To His servants the prophets.

8 A alion has roared! Who will not fear?

The bLord 1God has spoken! cWho can but prophesy?