Chapter 3

Listen to this message that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel--against the entire family I rescued from Egypt:
"From among all the families on the earth,

I have been intimate with you alone.

That is why I must punish you

for all your sins." Witnesses against Guilty Israel

without agreeing on the direction?

without first finding a victim? Does a young lion growl in its den

without first catching its prey?

that has no bait? Does a trap spring shut

when there's nothing to catch?

shouldn't the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the LORD has planned it?

until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.

so who isn't frightened? The Sovereign LORD has spoken--

so who can refuse to proclaim his message?

and to the great ones of Egypt: "Take your seats now on the hills around Samaria,

and witness the chaos and oppression in Israel."

"Their fortresses are filled with wealth

taken by theft and violence.

"an enemy is coming! He will surround them and shatter their defenses.

Then he will plunder all their fortresses."

This is what the LORD says: "A shepherd who tries to rescue a sheep from a lion's mouth

will recover only two legs or a piece of an ear.

So it will be for the Israelites in Samaria lying on luxurious beds, and for the people of Damascus reclining on couches.

"Now listen to this, and announce it throughout all Israel," says the Lord, the LORD God of Heaven's Armies.
"On the very day I punish Israel for its sins,

I will destroy the pagan altars at Bethel.

The horns of the altar will be cut off

and fall to the ground.

their winter mansions and their summer houses, too-- all their palaces filled with ivory," says the LORD.