Amos 5:1-7

A Lament and Call to Repentance 1Hear this word, Israel, this lament I take up concerning you:

2“Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again, deserted in her own land, with no one to lift her up.”

3This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Israel: “Your city that marches out a thousand strong will have only a hundred left; your town that marches out a hundred strong will have only ten left.”

4This is what the LORD says to Israel: “Seek me and live;

5do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing. Hebrew aven, a reference to Beth Aven (a derogatory name for Bethel); see Hosea 4:15. ”

6Seek the LORD and live, or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire; it will devour them, and Bethel will have no one to quench it.

7There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.