It is when Israel is powerful and prosperous, in the reign of Uzziah and of Jeroboam II, that Amos, a poor shepherd of Tekoa, arises to cry doom: The Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people, Israel.7:15
Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes.2:6
O children of Israel . . . you only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together unless they be agreed?3:1–3
I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end.3:15
Ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.4:11
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations. . . .6:1
Amos says to the people, Behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel. . . . And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.7:7–9
Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the Lord.9:8