The Message

Amos 1:1-6-8 The Message (MSG)

1. The Message of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa, that he received on behalf of Israel. It came to him in visions during the time that Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam II son of Joash was king of Israel, two years before the big earthquake.

2. The Message:God roars from Zion,shouts from Jerusalem!The thunderclap voice withers the pastures tended by shepherds,shrivels Mount Carmel’s proud peak.

3-5. God’s Message:“Because of the three great sins of Damascus—make that four—I’m not putting up with her any longer.She pounded Gilead to a pulp, pounded her senselesswith iron hammers and mauls.For that, I’m setting the palace of Hazael on fire.I’m torching Ben-hadad’s forts.I’m going to smash the Damascus gatesand banish the crime king who lives in Sin Valley,the vice boss who gives orders from Paradise Palace.The people of the land will be sent backto where they came from—to Kir.”God’s Decree.

6-8. God’s Message:“Because of the three great sins of Gaza—make that four—I’m not putting up with her any longer.She deported whole townsand then sold the people to Edom.For that, I’m burning down the walls of Gaza,burning up all her forts.I’ll banish the crime king from Ashdod,the vice boss from Ashkelon.I’ll raise my fist against Ekron,and what’s left of the Philistines will die.”God’s Decree.