Chapter 2
6. יהוה says: “For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes;
7. They trample on the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and deny justice to the oppressed; and a man and his father use the same maiden, to profane my holy name;
8. And they lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge;and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
9. Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.
10. Also I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.
11. I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Isn’t this true, you children of Israel?” says יהוה.
12. “But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘Don’t prophesy!’
13. Behold, I will crush you in your place, as a cart crushes that is full of grain.
14. Flight will perish from the swift; and the strong won’t strengthen his force; neither shall the mighty deliver himself;
15. Neither shall he stand who handles the bow; and he who is swift of foot won’t escape; neither shall he who rides the horse deliver himself;
16. And he who is courageous among the mighty will flee away naked on that day, says יהוה.
Chapter 3
1. Hear this word that יהוה has spoken against you, children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying:
2. “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth.Therefore I will punish you for all of your sins.”
3. Do two walk together,unless they have agreed?
4. Will a lion roar in the thicket, when he has no prey?Does a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing?
5. Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth,where no snare is set for him?Does a snare spring up from the ground,when there is nothing to catch?
6. Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city,without the people being afraid?Does evil happen to a city, and יהוה hasn’t done it?
7. Surely the Lord יהוה will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.
8. The lion has roared. Who will not fear? The Lord יהוה has spoken. Who can but prophesy?
ETZ CHAIM
It is a tree of life for those who cling to it, and those who uphold it are happy. Its ways are pleasant, and all of its paths peaceful.
Return us to you, Lord, so that we shall return, renew our days as of old.