A reading from
the Book of the Prophet Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Hear this word, O children of Israel, that the Lord pronounces over you, over the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt:
You alone have I favored,/ more than all the families of the earth;/ Therefore I will punish you/ for all your crimes.
Do two walk together/ unless they have agreed?/ Does a lion roar in the forest/ when it has no prey?/ Does a young lion cry out from its den/ unless it has seized something?/ Is a bird brought to earth by a snare/ when there is no lure for it?/ Does a snare spring up from the ground/ without catching anything?/ If the trumpet sounds in a city,/ will the people not be frightened?/ If evil befalls a city,/ has not the Lord caused it?/ Indeed, the Lord God does nothing/ without revealing his plan/ to his servants, the prophets.
The lion roars—/ who will not be afraid!/ The Lord God speaks—/ who will not prophesy!
I brought upon you such upheaval/ as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah:/ you were like a brand plucked from the fire;/ Yet you returned not to me,/ says the Lord.
So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel!/ and since I will deal thus with you,/ prepare to meet your God, O Israel.
The word of the Lord.
