First Reading

Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam,

king of Israel:

"Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;

the country cannot endure all his words.

For this is what Amos says:

Jeroboam shall die by the sword,

and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land."

To Amos, Amaziah said:

"Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!

There earn your bread by prophesying,

but never again prophesy in Bethel;

for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple."

Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet,

nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;

I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.

The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me,

'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'

Now hear the word of the Lord!"

You say: prophesy not against Israel,

preach not against the house of Isaac.

Now thus says the Lord:

Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,

and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;

Your land shall be divided by measuring line,

and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;

Israel shall be exiled far from its land.