Amos Confronts a Priest

7:10 Amaziah the priest of Bethel19 sent this message20 to King Jeroboam of Israel: “Amos is conspiring against you in the very heart of the kingdom of Israel!21 The land cannot endure all his prophecies.22 7:11 As a matter of fact,23 Amos is saying this: ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword and Israel will certainly be carried into exile24 away from its land.’ ”

7:12 Amaziah then said to Amos, “Leave, you visionary!25 Run away to the land of Judah! Earn your living26 and prophesy there! 7:13 Don’t prophesy at Bethel27 any longer, for a royal temple and palace are here!”28

7:14 Amos replied29 to Amaziah, “I was not a prophet by profession.30 No,31 I was a herdsman who also took care of32 sycamore fig trees.33 7:15 Then the Lord took me from tending34 flocks and gave me this commission,35 ‘Go! Prophesy to my people Israel!’ 7:16 So now listen to the Lord’s message! You say, ‘Don’t prophesy against Israel! Don’t preach36 against the family of Isaac!’

7:17 “Therefore this is what the Lord says:

‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the streets37

and your sons and daughters will die violently.38

Your land will be given to others39

and you will die in a foreign40 land.

Israel will certainly be carried into exile41 away from its land.’ ”