1. Listen to this message that the lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel—against the entire family I rescued from Egypt:
2. “From among all the families on the earth,I have been intimate with you alone.That is why I must punish youfor all your sins.”
3. Can two people walk togetherwithout agreeing on the direction?
4. Does a lion ever roar in a thicketwithout first finding a victim?Does a young lion growl in its denwithout first catching its prey?
5. Does a bird ever get caught in a trapthat has no bait?Does a trap spring shutwhen there’s nothing to catch?
6. When the ram’s horn blows a warning,shouldn’t the people be alarmed?Does disaster come to a cityunless the lord has planned it?
7. Indeed, the Sovereign lord never does anythinguntil he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.
8. The lion has roared—so who isn’t frightened?The Sovereign lord has spoken—so who can refuse to proclaim his message?
9. Announce this to the leaders of Philistiaand to the great ones of Egypt:“Take your seats now on the hills around Samaria,and witness the chaos and oppression in Israel.”