“They hate him
Who reproves
At the gate.
They abhor him
Who speaks the truth.
Therefore,
You trample
On the poor.
You take from them,
Levies of grain.
You have built houses
Of hewn stone.
But you shall not live
In them.
You have planted
Pleasant vineyards.
But you shall not drink
Their wine.
I know how many are
Your transgressions.
I know how great are
Your sins.
You afflict the righteous.
You take a bribe.
You turn aside
The needy
At the gate.
Therefore,
The prudent will keep silent
In such a time.
It is an evil time.”
Next, Amos listed all the bad behavior that the northern Israelites were involved with. They did not like any reprimanding at the city judgment gate. They did not like anyone who told the truth. They trampled the poor people, as they took away their grain. They had built beautiful stone houses, but they were not going to live in them. They had planted wonderful vineyards, but they would not drink the wine from them. Amos and Yahweh knew all about their various transgressions and how great their sins were. They took bribes, mistreated the righteous, and turned away the needy at the gate. The prudent people kept silent during this evil time.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 