Amos 5:6–12

⁶Israel, look to the Lord and live.

If you don’t, he will sweep through

the people of Joseph like a fire.

It will burn everything up.

And Bethel won’t have anyone to put it out.

⁷You turn what is fair into something bitter.

What is right you throw down to the ground.

⁸The Lord made the Pleiades and Orion.

He turns darkness into sunrise.

He makes the day fade into night.

He sends for the waters in the clouds.

Then he pours them out on the surface of the land.

His name is The Lord.

⁹He destroys places of safety.

He tears down cities

that have high walls around them.

¹⁰Israel, you hate those who do what is right in court.

You can’t stand those who tell the truth.

¹¹You walk all over poor people.

You make them give you grain.

You have built stone houses.

But you won’t live in them.

You have planted fruitful vineyards.

But you won’t drink the wine they produce.

¹²I know how many crimes you have committed.

You have sinned far too much.

You crush those who do what is right.

You accept money from people who want special favors.

You take away the rights of poor people in the courts.