The Roar of the Lion

31 Hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you, sons of Israel , against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt : 2 " You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth ; Therefore e I will punish you for all your iniquities ." 3 Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment ? 4 Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey ? Does a young lion growl e from his den unless e he has captured something? 5 Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all ? 6 If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble ? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it? 7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing e Unless e He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets . 8 A lion has roared ! Who will not fear ? The Lord GOD has spoken ! Who can but prophesy ?

The Doom of Samaria

9 Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod and on the citadels in the land of Egypt and say , "Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria and see the great tumults within her and the oppressions in her midst . 10 "But they do not know how to do what is right ," declares the Lord , "these who hoard up violence and devastation in their citadels ." 11 Therefore , thus says the Lord GOD , "An enemy , even one surrounding the land , Will pull down your strength from you And your citadels will be looted ." 12 Thus says the Lord , "Just as the shepherd snatches from the lion's mouth a couple of legs or a piece of an ear , So will the sons of Israel dwelling in Samaria be snatched away - With the corner of a bed and the cover of a couch ! 13 "Hear and testify against the house of Jacob ," Declares the Lord GOD , the God of hosts . 14 "For on the day that I punish Israel's transgressions , I will also punish the altars of Bethel ; The horns of the altar will be cut off And they will fall to the ground . 15 "I will also smite the winter house together with the summer house ; The houses of ivory will also perish And the great houses will come to an end ," Declares the Lord .