1. outwV edeixen moi kurioV kai idou aggoV ixeutou
2. kai eipen ti su blepeiV amwV kai eipa aggoV ixeutou kai eipen kurioV proV me hkei to peraV epi ton laon mou israhl ouketi mh prosqw tou parelqein auton
3. kai ololuxei ta fatnwmata tou naou en ekeinh th hmera legei kurioV poluV o peptwkwV en panti topw epirriyw siwphn
4. akousate dh tauta oi ektribonteV eiV to prwi penhta kai katadunasteuonteV ptwcouV apo thV ghV
5. oi legonteV pote dieleusetai o mhn kai empolhsomen kai ta sabbata kai anoixomen qhsaurouV tou poihsai mikron metron kai tou megalunai staqmia kai poihsai zugon adikon
6. tou ktasqai en arguriw ptwcouV kai tapeinon anti upodhmatwn kai apo pantoV genhmatoV emporeusomeqa
7. omnuei kurioV kaq' uperhfaniaV iakwb ei epilhsqhsetai eiV neikoV panta ta erga umwn
8. kai epi toutoiV ou taracqhsetai h gh kai penqhsei paV o katoikwn en auth kai anabhsetai wV potamoV sunteleia kai katabhsetai wV potamoV aiguptou
9. kai estai en ekeinh th hmera legei kurioV o qeoV kai dusetai o hlioV meshmbriaV kai suskotasei epi thV ghV en hmera to fwV
10. kai metastreyw taV eortaV umwn eiV penqoV kai pasaV taV wdaV umwn eiV qrhnon kai anabibw epi pasan osfun sakkon kai epi pasan kefalhn falakrwma kai qhsomai auton wV penqoV agaphtou kai touV met' autou wV hmeran odunhV
11. idou hmerai ercontai legei kurioV kai exapostelw limon epi thn ghn ou limon artou oude diyan udatoV alla limon tou akousai logon kuriou
12. kai saleuqhsontai udata ewV qalasshV kai apo borra ewV anatolwn peridramountai zhtounteV ton logon kuriou kai ou mh eurwsin
13. en th hmera ekeinh ekleiyousin ai parqenoi ai kalai kai oi neaniskoi en diyei
14. oi omnuonteV kata tou ilasmou samareiaV kai oi legonteV zh o qeoV sou dan kai zh o qeoV sou bhrsabee kai pesountai kai ou mh anastwsin eti
Footnotes:
8:1-3 - Amos sees a basket of ripe fruit, representing Israel's moral and spiritual decay. The symbolism of "ripe fruit" reflects the time of impending judgment, where sin has reached its peak (see also Jeremiah 24:1-10 and Matthew 21:33-46).
8:4-6 - The prophet denounces the oppression of the poor and the corruption of its leaders, showing that Israel pursues materialistic wealth and social injustice. The contrast between justice and exploitation reveals God's indignation against social sin (see also Isaiah 10:1-2 and James 5:1-6).
8:7-10 - The Lord swears that He will not forget Israel's sins, including the oppression of the poor and the perversion of justice. God's judgment will be like a solar eclipse, symbolizing spiritual darkness and impending death (see also Amos 5:18-20 and Luke 21:25-26).
8:11-14 - The vision of hunger and thirst for God's Word reflects Israel's spiritual crisis. The people desperately search for a word of hope, but it is too late, for God's justice will be fulfilled (see also Matthew 4:4 and Amos 5:13).
Verses related to Amós, 8:
Amos chapter 8 presents the vision of the basket of ripe fruit. What imminent judgment does God announce? This powerful text uses the image of ripe fruit to symbolize Israel ready for judgment. The chapter denounces the exploitation of the poor and predicts a famine for the word of God. Amos 8 warns of the severe consequences of continued rejection of the divine message. Examine with us five biblical passages that expand understanding of the themes of social justice and divine judgment present in this impactful chapter.
Micah 6:10-11: "Can I forget, O wicked one, the treasures stored in your house, obtained by dishonest means, and the counterfeit measure, which is accursed? Can I exonerate someone who uses dishonest scales and fake weights in their weighing bag?" - This passage from Micah echoes Amos' condemnation in Amos 8:4-6 against those who deceive in business and oppress the poor.
Revelation 6:5-6: "When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living being say, 'Come!' I looked, and in front of me was a black horse. His rider had a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying: 'One kilogram of wheat for a denarius and three kilograms of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine!'" - This vision in Revelation, like Amos 8:11-14, speaks of a time of scarcity and famine, but in this case, a spiritual famine.
Hosea 4:1-3: "Israelites, listen to the word of the Lord, because the Lord has an accusation against you who live in this land: 'There is no faithfulness, there is no love, there is no recognition of God in this land. Only curses, lies and murders, theft and adultery; they exceed in violence, one bloodshed after another. Because of this the land dries up, and all its inhabitants faint; the beasts of the field, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying.'" - Like Amos 8, this passage from Hosea describes God's judgment on the earth due to the people's injustice and unfaithfulness.
Ezekiel 7:10-13: "The day has come! It arrived! Ruin broke out! The staff blossomed, arrogance sprouted! Violence rose to be a punishment against evil... The time has come, the day has arrived; let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn, for wrath is upon the whole multitude." - This passage from Ezekiel, like Amos 8:9-10, describes a day of judgment when joy will turn to mourning.
Proverbs 11:1: "The Lord hates dishonest scales, but accurate weights give him pleasure." - This proverb reflects Amos' condemnation in Amos 8:5 against those who use dishonest scales in business.
FAQ:
What does the vision of the "ripe barley" in Amos 8 mean?
The vision of "ripe barley" symbolizes the nearness of God's judgment. The harvest is ready, just as Israel's sin is ripe for judgment. (Amos 8:1-2)
What does Amos warn about dishonest trading in Amos 8?
Amos denounces dishonest trade and the exploitation of the poor. He describes a people more concerned with profit than with justice, something that will provoke God's judgment. (Amos 8:4-6)
What does the "silence" in Amos 8:3 mean?
The "silence" in Amos 8:3 represents the devastation and lack of joy after God's judgment. The people will suffer so much that there will be no room for celebration or joy. (Amos 8:3)
What does "a hunger to hear the word of God" mean in Amos 8?
The "famine of hearing God's word" refers to the spiritual scarcity that will occur when God withdraws from Israel. The people will seek God's word, but will not find it because of the judgment. (Amos 8:11-12)
How does Amos describe Israel's punishment in Amos 8?
Amos describes Israel's punishment for its sin, including economic and social collapse. God's judgment will bring suffering and desolation to the people. (Amos 8:9-10)
