Amos 5:18 asv — Woe unto you that desire the day of Jehovah! Wherefore would ye have the day of Jehovah? It is darkness, and not light.

American Standard Version

"Woe unto you that desire the day of Jehovah! Wherefore would ye have the day of Jehovah? It is darkness, and not light. "

— Amos 5:18, American Standard Version

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Amos 5:18 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Amos 5 — Context

15

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate: it may be that Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

16

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.

17

And in all vineyards shall be wailing; for I will pass through the midst of thee, saith Jehovah.

18

Woe unto you that desire the day of Jehovah! Wherefore would ye have the day of Jehovah? It is darkness, and not light.

19

As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.

20

Shall not the day of Jehovah be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

21

I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

Amos 5:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Amos 5:18 say?
Amos 5:18 in the American Standard Version reads: “Woe unto you that desire the day of Jehovah! Wherefore would ye have the day of Jehovah? It is darkness, and not light. ”
Where is Amos 5:18 in the Bible?
Amos 5:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Amos, chapter 5, verse 18.
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 5:18.
What translation should I read Amos 5:18 in?
Amos 5:18 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 5:18?
Amos 5:18 reads (ASV): “Woe unto you that desire the day of Jehovah! Wherefore would ye have the day of Jehovah? It is darkness, and not light. ” 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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