Amos 5:24

24 But let justice flow like a river, and let goodness flow like a stream that never stops.

Amos 5:24 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 5:24

But let judgments run down as waters
Or "roll" ^F15; in abundance, with great rapidity, bearing down all before them, which nothing can resist; signifying the plenty of justice done in the land, the full and free exercise of it, without any stoppage or intermission: and righteousness as a mighty stream;
the same thing expressed in different words; though some think that not the execution of judgment and justice by men is here exhorted to, but the vindictive justice of God is threatened; which like a mighty torrent of water should come down, overwhelm, bear away, and destroy all before it, even all the transgressors in Israel.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (lgyw) "volvatur", Munster, Mercerus, Liveleus, Drusius; "volvat se", Montanus, Vatablus; "revolvet se", Piscator; "provolvatur", Cocceius.

Amos 5:24 In-Context

22 If you offer me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I won't accept them. You bring your best fellowship offerings of fattened cattle, but I will ignore them.

23 Take the noise of your songs away from me! I won't listen to the music of your harps.

24 But let justice flow like a river, and let goodness flow like a stream that never stops.

25 "People of Israel, you did not bring me sacrifices and offerings while you traveled in the desert for forty years.

26 You have carried with you your king, the god Sakkuth, and Kaiwan your idol, and the star gods you have made.