Amos 5:18

The Lord Demands Justice

5:18 Woe ¹  to those who wish for the day of the Lord!

Why do you want the Lord’s day of judgment to come?

It will bring darkness, not light.

Amos 7:2

7:2 When they had completely consumed the earth’s vegetation, I said,

“Sovereign Lord, forgive Israel! ² 

How can Jacob survive? ³ 

He is too weak!” ⁴ 

[5:18]  ¹ tn The term הוֹי (hoy, “woe”) was used when mourning the dead (see the note on the word “dead” in 5:16). The prophet here either engages in role playing and mourns the death of the nation in advance or sarcastically taunts those who hold to this misplaced belief.

[7:2]  ² tn “Israel” is supplied in the translation for clarity.

[7:2]  ³ tn Heb “stand” (so ASV, NAB, NASB, NRSV).

[7:2]  ⁴ tn Heb “small.”