6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid [1] shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?

Other Translations of Amos 3:6

New International Version

6 When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?

English Standard Version

6 Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?

The Message

6 When the alarm goes off in the city, aren't people alarmed? And when disaster strikes the city, doesn't God stand behind it?

New King James Version

6 If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?

New Living Translation

6 When the ram's horn blows a warning, shouldn't the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Amos 3:6

Commentary on Amos 3:1-8

(Read Amos 3:1-8)

The distinguishing favours of God to us, if they do not restrain from sin, shall not exempt from punishment. They could not expect communion with God, unless they first sought peace with him. Where there is not friendship, there can be no fellowship. God and man cannot walk together, except they are agreed. Unless we seek his glory, we cannot walk with him. Let us not presume on outward privileges, without special, sanctifying grace. The threatenings of the word and providence of God against the sin of man are certain, and certainly show that the judgments of God are at hand. Nor will God remove the affliction he has sent, till it has done its work. The evil of sin is from ourselves, it is our own doing; but the evil of trouble is from God, and is his doing, whoever are the instruments. This should engage us patiently to bear public troubles, and to study to answer God's meaning in them. The whole of the passage shows that natural evil, or troubles, and not moral evil, or sin, is here meant. The warning given to a careless world will increase its condemnation another day. Oh the amazing stupidity of an unbelieving world, that will not be wrought upon by the terrors of the Lord, and that despise his mercies!