Amos 5:15-25

15 Hate evil, love good, And establish justice in the courts. It may be that the LORD, the God Tzva'ot,, will be gracious to the remnant of Yosef."

16 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God Tzva'ot,, the Lord: "Wailing will be in all the broad ways; And they will say in all the streets, 'Alas! Alas!' And they will call the farmer to mourning, And those who are skillful in lamentation to wailing.

17 In all vineyards there will be wailing; For I will pass through the midst of you," says the LORD.

18 "Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? It is darkness, And not light.

19 As if a man fled from a lion, And a bear met him; Or he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, And a snake bit him.

20 Will the day of the LORD not be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it?

21 I hate, I despise your feasts, And I can't stand your solemn assemblies.

22 Yes, though you offer me your burnt offerings and meal-offerings, I will not accept them; Neither will I regard the shalom offerings of your fat animals.

23 Take away from me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

24 But let justice roll on like rivers, And righteousness like a mighty stream.

25 "Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, house of Yisra'el?

Amos 5:15-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 5

In this chapter the prophet exhorts Israel to hear his lamentation over them for their impending ruin, Am 5:1-3; nevertheless to seek the Lord, and all that is good; to forsake their idols, and repent of their sins, in hopes of finding mercy, and living comfortably; or otherwise they must expect the wrath of God for their iniquities, especially their oppression of the poor, Am 5:4-15; otherwise it would be a time of weeping and wailing, of darkness and distress, however they might harden or flatter themselves, or make a jest of it, Am 5:16-20; for all their sacrifices and ceremonial worship would signify nothing, so long as they continued their idolatry with them Am 5:21-26; and therefore should surely go into captivity, Am 5:27.