Amos and Amaziah

10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel(A) sent a message to Jeroboam(B) king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy(C) against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words.(D) 11 For this is what Amos is saying:

“‘Jeroboam will die by the sword,
    and Israel will surely go into exile,(E)
    away from their native land.’”(F)

12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer!(G) Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there.(H) 13 Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel,(I) because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple(J) of the kingdom.(K)

14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet(L) nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.(M) 15 But the Lord took me from tending the flock(N) and said to me, ‘Go,(O) prophesy(P) to my people Israel.’(Q)

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Amaziah’s Complaint

10 Then Amaziah the (A)priest of (B)Bethel sent to (C)Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to [a]bear all his words. 11 For thus Amos has said:

‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
And Israel shall surely be led away (D)captive
From their own land.’ ”

12 Then Amaziah said to Amos:

“Go, you seer!
Flee to the land of Judah.
There eat bread,
And there prophesy.
13 But (E)never again prophesy at Bethel,
(F)For it is the king’s [b]sanctuary,
And it is the royal [c]residence.”

14 Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah:

“I was no prophet,
Nor was I (G)a son of a prophet,
But I was a (H)sheepbreeder
And a tender of sycamore fruit.
15 Then the Lord took me [d]as I followed the flock,
And the Lord said to me,
‘Go, (I)prophesy to My people Israel.’

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Footnotes

  1. Amos 7:10 Or endure
  2. Amos 7:13 Or holy place
  3. Amos 7:13 Lit. house
  4. Amos 7:15 Lit. from behind