28 Heb “they”; the referent (the Israelites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
29 In ancient Israelite culture, legal disputes were resolved in the city gate, where the town elders met.
30 Traditionally, “because you trample on the poor” (cf. , , , , , ). The traditional view derives the verb from בּוּס (bus, “to trample”; cf. Isa. 14:25), but more likely it is cognate to an Akkadian verb meaning “to exact an agricultural tax” (see H. R. Cohen, Biblical Hapax Legomena [], 49; S. M. Paul, Amos [Hermeneia], ).
31 Or “lovely”; , , “pleasant”; “choice”; “lush.”
32 Heb “Houses of chiseled stone you built, but you will not live in them. Fine vineyards you planted, but you will not drink their wine.”
33 Or “for.”
34 Or “I know” (so most English versions).
35 Or “transgressions,” “sins.” See the note on the word “crimes” in and on the phrase “covenant violations” in 2:4.
36 Heb “Those who.”
37 Heb “turn aside.” They “turn aside” the needy by denying them the justice they deserve at the city gate (where legal decisions were made, and therefore where justice should be done).
38 Legal disputes were resolved in the city gate, where the town elders met.
39 Or “the wise”; or “the prudent.” Another option is to translate “the successful, prosperous” and understand this as a reference to the rich oppressors. See G. V. Smith, Amos, 169–70. In this case the following verb will also have a different nuance, that is, the wealthy remain silent before the abuses they perpetuate. See the note on the verb translated “keeps quiet” later in this verse.
40 Or “moans, laments,” from a homonymic verbal root. If the rich oppressors are in view, then the verb (whether translated “will be silenced” or “will lament”) describes the result of God’s judgment upon them. See G. V. Smith, Amos, 170.
41 If this is a judgment announcement against the rich, then the Hebrew phrase עֵת רָעָה (’et ra’ah) must be translated, “[a] disastrous time.” See G. V. Smith, Amos, 170.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

They hate him who reproves in the gate,

and they abhor him who speaks the truth.

Therefore because you trample on the poor

and you exact taxes of grain from him,

you have built houses of hewn stone,

but you shall not dwell in them;

you have planted pleasant vineyards,

but you shall not drink their wine.

For I know how many are your transgressions

and how great are your sins—

you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,

and turn aside the needy in the gate.

Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time,

for it is an evil time.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court

and detest the one who tells the truth.

You levy a straw tax on the poor

and impose a tax on their grain.

Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,

you will not live in them;

though you have planted lush vineyards,

you will not drink their wine.

For I know how many are your offenses

and how great your sins.

There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes

and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times,

for the times are evil.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

They hate the one who convicts the guilty

at the city gate,

and they despise the one who speaks with integrity.

Therefore, because you trample on the poor

and exact a grain tax from him,

you will never live in the houses of cut stone

you have built;

you will never drink the wine

from the lush vineyards

you have planted.

For I know your crimes are many

and your sins innumerable.

They oppress the righteous, take a bribe,

and deprive the poor of justice at the city gates.

Therefore, those who have insight will keep silent

at such a time,

for the days are evil.

NLTNew Living Translation

How you hate honest judges!

How you despise people who tell the truth!

You trample the poor,

stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent.

Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses,

you will never live in them.

Though you plant lush vineyards,

you will never drink wine from them.

For I know the vast number of your sins

and the depth of your rebellions.

You oppress good people by taking bribes

and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

So those who are smart keep their mouths shut,

for it is an evil time.

They hate the one who reproves in the gate and they abhor the one who speaks honestly. Therefore, because you trample on the poor and you take a grain tax from them, you built houses of dressed stone, but you will not live in them. You built vineyards of delightfulness, but you will not drink their wine. For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous, you foes of the righteous, those who take a bribe, and those who push aside the poor ones in the gate! Therefore, whoever has insight will keep silent in that time, for it is a time of evil.

KJV 1900King James Version

They hate him that rebuketh in the gate,

And they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.

Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor,

And ye take from him burdens of wheat:

Ye have built houses of hewn stone,

But ye shall not dwell in them;

Ye have planted pleasant vineyards,

But ye shall not drink wine of them.

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins:

They afflict the just, they take a bribe,

And they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time;

For it is an evil time.

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Amos 5:10–13

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