7
Thus He showed me, and behold, the Lord was standing by a verticalwall with a plumbline in His hand.
8
The LORDsaid to me, "1What do you see, Amos?" And I said, "A plumbline." Then the Lordsaid, "Behold I am about to put a 2plumbline In the midst of My peopleIsrael. I will 3spare them nolonger*.
9
"The 4highplaces of Isaac will be desolated And the 5sanctuaries of Israellaidwaste. Then I will 6rise up against the house of Jeroboam with the sword."
Amos Accused, Answers
10 Then Amaziah, the 7priest of Bethel, sent word to 8Jeroboamking of Israel, saying, "Amos has 9conspiredagainst you in the midst of the house of Israel; the land is unable* to endureall his words.
11
"For thusAmossays, 'Jeroboam will die by the sword and Israel will certainlygo from its land into exile.' "
12
Then Amaziahsaid to Amos, "10Go, you seer, flee away to the land of Judah and thereeatbread and there do your prophesying!
13
"But 11nolonger*prophesy at Bethel, for it is a 12sanctuary of the king and a royalresidence."
14
Then Amosreplied to Amaziah, "I am not a prophet, nor am I the 13son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamorefigs.
15
"But the LORDtook me from following the flock and the LORDsaid to me, 'Go14prophesy to My peopleIsrael.'
16
"Nowhear the word of the LORD: you are saying, 'You 15shall not prophesyagainstIsrael16nor shall you speakagainst the house of Isaac.'
17
"Therefore, thussays the LORD, 'Your 17wife will become a harlot in the city, your 18sons and your daughters will fall by the sword, your land will be parceled up by a measuring line and you yourself will die upon 19uncleansoil. Moreover, Israel will certainlygo from its land into exile.' "