7. This is what the Lord God showed me: He was standing, plummet in hand, by a wall built with a plummet.
8. The Lord God asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” And I answered, “A plummet.” Then the Lord said:See, I am laying the plummetin the midst of my people Israel;I will forgive them no longer.
9. The high places of Isaac shall be laid waste,and the sanctuaries of Israel made desolate;and I will attack the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
10. Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam, king of Israel: “Amos has conspired against you within the house of Israel; the country cannot endure all his words.
11. For this is what Amos says:‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land.’”
12. To Amos, Amaziah said: “Off with you, seer, flee to the land of Judah and there earn your bread by prophesying!
13. But never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
14. Amos answered Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor do I belong to a company of prophets. I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamores,
15. but the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’