Samaria Will Fall

3:9 Make this announcement in12 the fortresses of Ashdod

and in the fortresses in the land of Egypt.

Say this:

“Gather on the hills around Samaria!13

Observe the many acts of violence14 taking place within the city,15

the oppressive deeds16 occurring in it.”17

3:10 “They do not know how to do what is right.” (The Lord is speaking.)

“They store up18 the spoils of destructive violence19 in their fortresses.

3:11 Therefore,” says the sovereign Lord, “an enemy will encircle the land.20

He will take away your power;21

your fortresses will be looted.”

3:12 This is what the Lord says:

“Just as a shepherd salvages from the lion’s mouth a couple of leg bones or a piece of an ear,

so the Israelites who live in Samaria will be salvaged.22

They will be left with just a corner of a bed,23

and a part24 of a couch.”

3:13 Listen and warn25 the family26 of Jacob!27

The sovereign Lord, the God who commands armies,28 is speaking!

3:14 “Certainly when29 I punish Israel for their30 covenant transgressions,31

I will destroy32 Bethel’s33 altars.

The horns34 of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.

3:15 I will destroy both the winter and summer houses.35

The houses filled with ivory36 will be ruined,

the great37 houses will be swept away.”38

The Lord is speaking!

4:1 Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan1 who live on Mount Samaria!

You2 oppress the poor;

you crush the needy.

You say to your3 husbands,

“Bring us more to drink!”4

4:2 The sovereign Lord confirms this oath by his own holy character:5

“Certainly the time is approaching6

when you will be carried away7 in baskets,8

every last one of you9 in fishermen’s pots.10

4:3 Each of you will go straight through the gaps in the walls;11

you will be thrown out12 toward Harmon.”13

The Lord is speaking!