The Holy Bible

Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel—against the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt:

2 “You only have I chosen
of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you
for all your iniquity.”

3 Can two walk together,
unless they are agreed? 4 Does a lion roar in the thicket
when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl in his den
when he has caught nothing? 5 Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground,
if the snare has not been set? Does a trap spring up from the earth
when it has caught nothing? 6 If a trumpet sounds in a city,
are the people not afraid? If a disaster befalls a city,
will not the Lord have done it? 7 Surely the Lord God does nothing,
unless He has revealed His plan to His servants the prophets. 8 The lion has roared—
who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken;
who can but prophesy?

9 Proclaim to the fortresses of Ashdod,
and to the fortresses in the land of Egypt: “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria;
see the great turmoil within her and the oppression among her people.”

10 “They do not know how to do right,” declares the Lord,
“who store up violence and robbery in their fortresses.”

11 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:

“An enemy will overrun the land;
he will tear down your defences and plunder your fortresses.”

12 This is what the Lord says:

“As a shepherd rescues from the lion’s mouth
only two legs or a piece of an ear, so will the Israelites be rescued, those who live in Samaria—
like only the corner of a bed or the edge of a couch.”

13 “Hear this and testify against the house of Jacob,”
declares the Lord God, the God of Hosts.

14 “On the day I punish Israel for their transgressions,
I will also destroy the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off
and fall to the ground. 15 I will tear down the winter house
along with the summer house; the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed,
and the mansions will be demolished,” declares the Lord.