Amos 5:18-27

18 vae desiderantibus diem Domini ad quid eam vobis dies Domini ista tenebrae et non lux

19 quomodo si fugiat vir a facie leonis et occurrat ei ursus et ingrediatur domum et innitatur manu sua super parietem et mordeat eum coluber

20 numquid non tenebrae dies Domini et non lux et caligo et non splendor in ea

21 odi et proieci festivitates vestras et non capiam odorem coetuum vestrorum

22 quod si adtuleritis mihi holocaustomata et munera vestra non suscipiam et vota pinguium vestrorum non respiciam

23 aufer a me tumultum carminum tuorum et cantica lyrae tuae non audiam

24 et revelabitur quasi aqua iudicium et iustitia quasi torrens fortis

25 numquid hostias et sacrificium obtulistis mihi in deserto quadraginta annis domus Israhel

26 et portastis tabernaculum Moloch vestro et imaginem idolorum vestrorum sidus dei vestri quae fecistis vobis

27 et migrare vos faciam trans Damascum dixit Dominus Deus exercituum nomen eius

Amos 5:18-27 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.