Amos 2:7-16

7 desiring that there be dust of the earth upon the head of the poor, and to twist the way of the humble: and the man and his father have gone in unto the same maid, profaning my holy name:
8 and they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by any altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.
9 Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as an oak; yet I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath.
10 Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt and led you forty years through the wilderness that you might possess the land of the Amorite.
11 And I raised up of your sons for prophets and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye sons of Israel? said the LORD.
12 But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, Do not prophesy.
13 Behold, I will press you in your place, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves.
14 Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver his soul:
15 neither shall he that handles the bow stand; and he that is swift of foot shall not escape: neither shall he that rides the horse save his life.
16 And he that is strong among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, said the LORD.

Amos 2:7-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 2

In this chapter the prophet foretells the calamities that should come upon the Moabites for their transgressions, Am 2:1-3; and the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem for their iniquities, Am 2:4,5; also the judgments of God that should come upon Israel the ten tribes for their sins, which sins are enumerated; their oppression of the poor, their lewdness and idolatry, Am 2:6-8; and which are aggravated by the blessings of goodness bestowed upon them, both temporal and spiritual, Am 2:9-12; wherefore they are threatened with ruin, which would be inevitable, notwithstanding their swiftness, strength, and courage, and their skill in shooting arrows, and riding horses, Am 2:13-16.

The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010