Amos 7 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

“O Lord GOD, please forgive!

How can Jacob stand,

For he is so small [that he cannot endure this]?”

The LORD revoked this sentence.

“It shall not take place,” said the LORD.

Thus the Lord GOD showed me, and behold, the Lord GOD called for punishment with fire, and it devoured the great deep [underground sources of water] and began to consume the land.

“O Lord GOD, please stop!

How can Jacob stand,

For he is so small [that he cannot endure this]?”

The LORD revoked this sentence.

“This also shall not be,” said the Lord GOD.

Thus He showed me [a vision], and behold, the Lord was standing by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand [to determine if the wall was straight or if it needed to be destroyed].

“Behold, I am setting a plumb line [as a standard]

Among My people Israel [showing the defectiveness of the nation, requiring judgment].

I shall not spare them any longer. [The door of mercy is shut.]

“And the [idolatrous] high places of Isaac (Israel) will be devastated and deserted,

And the sanctuaries of Israel will be in ruins.

Then I shall rise up against the house of Jeroboam with the sword [and destroy the monarchy].”

Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel [site of the golden calf shrine], sent word to [fn]Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel; the land is unable to endure all his words.

Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet [by profession], nor am I a prophet’s son; I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs.