He said:
The LORD roars from Zion and His voice from Jerusalem causes the pastures and Carmel to wither.
This verse opens the book with the LORD's sovereign and judgment-bearing presence.
1These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa— what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel. 2He said: 3This is what the LORD says: 4So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael 5I will break down the gates of Damascus; 6This is what the LORD says: 7So I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza, 8I will cut off the ruler of Ashdod 9This is what the LORD says: 10So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre 11This is what the LORD says: 12So I will send fire upon Teman 13This is what the LORD says: 14So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah 15Their king will go into exile —