1
Hearthisword, you cows of Bashanwho are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, Who say to your husbands, "Bring now, that we may drink!"
2
The LordGOD has sworn by His holiness, "Behold, the days are coming upon you When they will take you away with meathooks, And the last of you with fishhooks.
5
"Offer a thankoffering also from that which is leavened, And proclaimfreewillofferings, make them known. For so you love to do, you sons of Israel," Declares the LordGOD.
7
"Furthermore, I withheld the rain from you While there were stillthreemonths until harvest. Then I would sendrain on onecity And on anothercity I would not sendrain; Onepart would be rained on, While the part not rained on would dry up.
9
"I smote you with scorching wind and mildew; And the caterpillar was devouring Your manygardens and vineyards, figtrees and olivetrees; Yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
10
"I sent a plague among you after the manner of Egypt; I slew your youngmen by the swordalong with your capturedhorses, And I made the stench of your camprise up in your nostrils; Yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
11
"I overthrew you, as GodoverthrewSodom and Gomorrah, And you were like a firebrandsnatched from a blaze; Yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
13
For behold, He who formsmountains and creates the wind And declares to manwhat are His thoughts, He who makesdawn into darkness And treads on the highplaces of the earth, The LORDGod of hosts is His name.