Add parallel Print Page Options

Merchants Only Want to Make Money

Listen to me, you who trample on helpless people.
    You are trying to destroy the poor of this country.
You merchants say,
    “When will the New Moon be over so that we can sell grain?
When will the Sabbath be over
    so that we can bring out more wheat to sell?
We can raise the price
    and make the measure smaller.[a]
We can fix the scales
    and cheat the people.[b]
The poor cannot pay their loans,
    so we will buy them as slaves.
We will buy those helpless people
    for the price of a pair of sandals.
Oh, and we can sell the wheat
    that was spilled on the floor.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Amos 8:5 We … smaller Literally, “We will make the ephah small and the shekel large.”
  2. Amos 8:5 We … people Literally, “Cheat with lying balances.”

Bible Gateway Recommends

ERV Holy Bible--soft leather-look, teal
ERV Holy Bible--soft leather-look, teal
Retail: $18.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $5.00 (26%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
PDT Spanish Paperback Bible
PDT Spanish Paperback Bible
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $7.99
Save: $2.00 (20%)
3.0 of 5.0 stars
ERV Illustrated Paperback New Testament
ERV Illustrated Paperback New Testament
Retail: $3.99
Our Price: $2.49
Save: $1.50 (38%)
ERV Duotone Bible, Black/Grey - Case of 24
ERV Duotone Bible, Black/Grey - Case of 24
Retail: $455.76
Our Price: $334.99
Save: $120.77 (26%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
PDT Children's Softcover Bible, Case of 20
PDT Children's Softcover Bible, Case of 20
Retail: $219.80
Our Price: $162.99
Save: $56.81 (26%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
Holy Bible Easy to Read Version (ERV) English Green/Tan (Duotone)
Holy Bible Easy to Read Version (ERV) English Green/Tan (Duotone)
Retail: $18.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $5.00 (26%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars