Amos 5:16 net — Because of Israel’s sins this is what the Lord, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, says:“In all the squares there will be…

NET Bible

"Because of Israel’s sins this is what the Lord, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, says:“In all the squares there will be wailing, in all the streets they will mourn the dead. They will tell the field workers to lament and the professional mourners to wail."

— Amos 5:16, NET Bible

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Amos 5:16 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “Therefore the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.”

  • ASV

    “Therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of hosts, the Lord: Wailing shall be in all the broad ways; and they shall say in all the streets, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful in lamentation to wailing. ”

  • WEB

    “Therefore thus says Yahweh, the God of Armies, the Lord: "Wailing will be in all the broad ways; and they will say in all the streets, 'Alas! Alas!' and they will call the farmer to mourning, and those who are skillful in lamentation to wailing.”

  • DRB

    “Therefore thus saith the Lord the God of hosts the sovereign Lord: In every street there shall be wailing: and in all places that are without, they shall say: Alas, alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful in lamentation to lament.”

  • BBE

    “So these are the words of the Lord, the God of armies, the Lord: There will be weeping in all the open spaces; and in all the streets they will say, Sorrow! sorrow! and they will get in the farmer to the weeping, and the makers of sad songs to give cries of grief.”

  • KJVA

    “Therefore the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.”

Amos 5 — Context

13

For this reason whoever is smart keeps quiet in such a time, for it is an evil time.

14

Seek good and not evil so you can live! Then the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, just might be with you, as you claim he is.

15

Hate what is wrong, love what is right! Promote justice at the city gate! Maybe the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, will have mercy on those who are left from Joseph.

16

Because of Israel’s sins this is what the Lord, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, says:“In all the squares there will be wailing, in all the streets they will mourn the dead. They will tell the field workers to lament and the professional mourners to wail.

17

In all the vineyards there will be wailing, for I will pass through your midst,” says the LORD.

18

The Lord Demands Justice Woe 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.

19

Disaster will be inescapable, as if a man ran from a lion only to meet a bear, then escaped into a house, leaned his hand against the wall, and was bitten by a poisonous snake.

Amos 5:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Amos 5:16 say?
Amos 5:16 in the NET Bible reads: “Because of Israel’s sins this is what the Lord, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, says:“In all the squares there will be wailing, in all the streets they will mourn the dead. They will tell the field workers to lament and the professional mourners to wail.”
Where is Amos 5:16 in the Bible?
Amos 5:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Amos, chapter 5, verse 16.
Who wrote Amos?
Amos is traditionally attributed to Amos, a shepherd and fig-farmer from Tekoa. It was written c. 760–750 BC.
What is the book of Amos about?
Amos, a working shepherd from Judah, is sent north to confront Israel's outward prosperity and inward injustice. With searing rhetoric he denounces oppression of the poor and empty religion, calling for justice to roll down like waters.
What are the major themes of Amos?
Amos explores themes including Justice, Social Sin, Empty Religion, Day of the LORD, Remnant. These themes shape the meaning and context of Amos 5:16.
What translation should I read Amos 5:16 in?
Amos 5:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Amos 5:16?
Amos 5:16 reads (NET): “Because of Israel’s sins this is what the Lord, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, says:“In all the squares there will be wailing, in all the streets they will mourn the dead. They will tell the field workers to lament and the professional mourners to wail.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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