9-11. Announce to the forts of Assyria,announce to the forts of Egypt—Tell them, “Gather on the Samaritan mountains, take a good, hard look:what a snake pit of brutality and terror!They can’t—or won’t—do one thing right.” God said so.“They stockpile violence and blight.Therefore”—this is God’s Word—“an enemy will surround the country.He’ll strip you of your power and plunder your forts.”
12. God’s Message:“In the same way that a shepherdtrying to save a lamb from a lionManages to recoverjust a pair of legs or the scrap of an ear,So will little be saved of the Israeliteswho live in Samaria—A couple of old chairs at most,the broken leg of a table.
13-15. “Listen and bring witness against Jacob’s family”—this is God’s Word, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!“Note well! The day I make Israel pay for its sins,pay for the sin-altars of worship at Bethel,The horned altars will all be dehornedand scattered around.I’ll tear down the winter palace,smash the summer palace—all your fancy buildings.The luxury homes will be demolished,all those pretentious houses.”God’s Decree.