Add parallel Print Page Options

15 Hate what is evil, and love all that is good;
    apply His laws justly in the courts at the city gates,
And it may be that the Eternal God, the Commander of heavenly armies,
    will have mercy on those descendants of Joseph who survived.

Amos looks into the future to a day when God’s judgment will fall on His people. But judgment and destruction are not intended to be the end. The last word belongs to God, and it is a word of mercy on His covenant people. Sin, of course, must be dealt with; it must be punished decisively. But in God’s grace, some will survive the onslaught. These survivors the prophets call “the remnant.” They are the ones God destines to be restored and to carry on His name. Centuries later, the remnant will refound Israel and extend the covenant blessings to every family on the face of the earth.

16 So says the Eternal God, Commander of heavenly armies, the Lord of all:

Eternal One: Get ready to hear wailing from every street,
        people crying out in pain and sorrow along every highway.
    The farmers will be pulled away from their fields to mourn,
        and those who are trained to grieve will wail with them.
17     In every vineyard, there will be mourning
        because I will pass through the middle of you.

Says the Eternal One.

Read full chapter

15 Hate evil,(A) love good;(B)
    maintain justice in the courts.(C)
Perhaps(D) the Lord God Almighty will have mercy(E)
    on the remnant(F) of Joseph.

16 Therefore this is what the Lord, the Lord God Almighty, says:

“There will be wailing(G) in all the streets(H)
    and cries of anguish in every public square.
The farmers(I) will be summoned to weep
    and the mourners to wail.
17 There will be wailing(J) in all the vineyards,
    for I will pass through(K) your midst,”
says the Lord.(L)

Read full chapter