1. τάδε λέγει κύριος ἐπὶ ταῖς τρισὶν ἀσεβείαις Μωαβ καὶ ἐπὶ ταῖς τέσσαρσιν οὐκ ἀποστραφήσομαι αὐτόν ἀνθ’ ὧν κατέκαυσαν τὰ ὀστᾶ βασιλέως τῆς Ιδουμαίας εἰς κονίαν
2. καὶ ἐξαποστελῶ πῦρ ἐπὶ Μωαβ καὶ καταφάγεται θεμέλια τῶν πόλεων αὐτῆς καὶ ἀποθανεῖται ἐν ἀδυναμίᾳ Μωαβ μετὰ κραυγῆς καὶ μετὰ φωνῆς σάλπιγγος
3. καὶ ἐξολεθρεύσω κριτὴν ἐξ αὐτῆς καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἄρχοντας αὐτῆς ἀποκτενῶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ λέγει κύριος
4. τάδε λέγει κύριος ἐπὶ ταῖς τρισὶν ἀσεβείαις υἱῶν Ιουδα καὶ ἐπὶ ταῖς τέσσαρσιν οὐκ ἀποστραφήσομαι αὐτόν ἕνεκα τοῦ ἀπώσασθαι αὐτοὺς τὸν νόμον κυρίου καὶ τὰ προστάγματα αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐφυλάξαντο καὶ ἐπλάνησεν αὐτοὺς τὰ μάταια αὐτῶν ἃ ἐποίησαν οἷς ἐξηκολούθησαν οἱ πατέρες αὐτῶν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν
5. καὶ ἐξαποστελῶ πῦρ ἐπὶ Ιουδαν καὶ καταφάγεται θεμέλια Ιερουσαλημ
6. τάδε λέγει κύριος ἐπὶ ταῖς τρισὶν ἀσεβείαις Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπὶ ταῖς τέσσαρσιν οὐκ ἀποστραφήσομαι αὐτόν ἀνθ’ ὧν ἀπέδοντο ἀργυρίου δίκαιον καὶ πένητα ἕνεκεν ὑποδημάτων
7. τὰ πατοῦντα ἐπὶ τὸν χοῦν τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐκονδύλιζον εἰς κεφαλὰς πτωχῶν καὶ ὁδὸν ταπεινῶν ἐξέκλιναν καὶ υἱὸς καὶ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ εἰσεπορεύοντο πρὸς τὴν αὐτὴν παιδίσκην ὅπως βεβηλώσωσιν τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ αὐτῶν
8. καὶ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν δεσμεύοντες σχοινίοις παραπετάσματα ἐποίουν ἐχόμενα τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ οἶνον ἐκ συκοφαντιῶν ἔπινον ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ θεοῦ αὐτῶν
9. ἐγὼ δὲ ἐξῆρα τὸν Αμορραῖον ἐκ προσώπου αὐτῶν οὗ ἦν καθὼς ὕψος κέδρου τὸ ὕψος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἰσχυρὸς ἦν ὡς δρῦς καὶ ἐξῆρα τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ ἐπάνωθεν καὶ τὰς ῥίζας αὐτοῦ ὑποκάτωθεν
10. καὶ ἐγὼ ἀνήγαγον ὑμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου καὶ περιήγαγον ὑμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη τοῦ κατακληρονομῆσαι τὴν γῆν τῶν Αμορραίων
11. καὶ ἔλαβον ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν ὑμῶν εἰς προφήτας καὶ ἐκ τῶν νεανίσκων ὑμῶν εἰς ἁγιασμόν μὴ οὐκ ἔστιν ταῦτα υἱοὶ Ισραηλ λέγει κύριος
12. καὶ ἐποτίζετε τοὺς ἡγιασμένους οἶνον καὶ τοῖς προφήταις ἐνετέλλεσθε λέγοντες οὐ μὴ προφητεύσητε
13. διὰ τοῦτο ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ κυλίω ὑποκάτω ὑμῶν ὃν τρόπον κυλίεται ἡ ἅμαξα ἡ γέμουσα καλάμης
14. καὶ ἀπολεῖται φυγὴ ἐκ δρομέως καὶ ὁ κραταιὸς οὐ μὴ κρατήσῃ τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ καὶ ὁ μαχητὴς οὐ μὴ σώσῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ
15. καὶ ὁ τοξότης οὐ μὴ ὑποστῇ καὶ ὁ ὀξὺς τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτοῦ οὐ μὴ διασωθῇ οὐδὲ ὁ ἱππεὺς οὐ μὴ σώσῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ
16. καὶ εὑρήσει τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ἐν δυναστείαις ὁ γυμνὸς διώξεται ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ λέγει κύριος
Footnotes:
2:1-3 - Judgment against Moab is announced because of the desecration of the bones of the king of Edom. This act of disrespect reveals Moab's pride and arrogance, which has disregarded the covenant of respect and honor between peoples (see also 2 Kings 3:26-27 and Jeremiah 48:7).
2:4-5 - God's judgment falls on Judah, the southern kingdom, for its rejection of God's Law and its embrace of idolatry. This judgment highlights that disobedience to God, even among His people, results in severe consequences (see also 2 Kings 21:10-15 and Jeremiah 5:3-5).
2:6-8 - Israel is condemned for its exploitation of the poor and its practice of injustices, such as selling the righteous for silver. God condemns social oppression, where the most vulnerable are treated with disdain, highlighting the importance of social justice in God's kingdom (see also Isaiah 1:23 and Micah 6:12-16).
2:9-11 - God reminds Israel of His protection and care in the past, when He brought them out of Egypt, and how He raised up prophets and Nazirites to guide them. However, the nation rejected these blessings, revealing their hardness and ingratitude before God (see also Deuteronomy 8:11-20 and Jeremiah 7:25-26).
2:12-16 - God's final judgment on Israel will be total, encompassing every aspect of society. This highlights that disobedience to God cannot be ignored, and divine justice will be executed completely, without exception (see also Romans 2:6-8 and Revelation 20:12-13).
Verses related to Amós, 2:
Amos chapter 2 extends judgment to Judah and Israel. Why does God condemn His own people? This incisive text exposes the sins of Judah and, especially, Israel. The chapter highlights Israel's ingratitude towards God's blessings, the oppression of the poor and moral corruption. Amos 2 reveals that a special relationship with God implies greater responsibility. Consider with us five biblical passages that illuminate the principles of divine accountability expressed in this challenging chapter.
Isaiah 16:6: "We have heard about Moab's pride, his exaggerated pride and his insolence, but his boast is in vain." - This verse reflects Amos' judgment against Moab in Amos 2:1-3, highlighting the theme of national pride.
Hosea 4:1-2: "Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, for the Lord has a charge against you who dwell 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 are seen; exceed all limits! The bloodshed is constant.'" - This passage echoes Amos' accusations against Israel in Amos 2:6-8, highlighting moral and social corruption.
Jeremiah 9:23-24: "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise boast in his wisdom, nor the strong in his strength, nor the rich in his riches, but whoever boasts, let him boast in this: that he understands me and knows me, for I am the Lord, and I act with loyalty, with justice and with righteousness on earth, for these are the things I delight in', declares the Lord." - This passage relates to Amos' criticism of Israel's confidence in its own strength and wealth in Amos 2:14-16.
Deuteronomy 24:17-18: "Do not pervert the rights of a foreigner or an orphan, nor take the widow's clothing as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God freed you from there. That's why I order you to do this." - This commandment of the Mosaic law is violated by the Israelites in Amos 2:6-7, showing how they departed from divine principles.
Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires: Do justice, love faithfulness, and walk humbly with your God." - This verse summarizes the type of behavior God expected of Israel, in contrast to the actions condemned by Amos in Amos 2:6-8.
FAQ:
What did Amos say about Moab?
Moab would be destroyed for burning the bones of the king of Edom and for its violence against the neighboring peoples. (Amos 2:1-3)
Why would Judah be judged in Amos 2?
Judah would be condemned for rejecting the Lord’s law and following idols, disobeying God’s commandments. (Amos 2:4-5)
What did God say about Israel in chapter 2?
Israel would be punished for its oppression of the poor, corruption, idolatry, and disobedience to God's law. (Amos 2:6-8)
What did Amos condemn about the leaders of Israel?
Amos condemned Israel's leaders for abusing their power, bribing, and exploiting the weak. (Amos 2:6-8)
How does God express His anger against Israel's sin?
God expresses His wrath by promising that the city of Israel will fall and its riches will be taken away. (Amos 2:13-16)
