Week 1 of our Justice Series: RECLAIMING JUSTICE

Week 1 of our Justice Series: RECLAIMING JUSTICE

August 13, 2023 Amos 5:10-17, 21-24

10 They hate the one who reproves in the gate,

    and they abhor the one who speaks the truth.

11 Therefore because you trample on the poor

    and take from them levies of grain,

you have built houses of hewn stone,

    but you shall not live in them;

you have planted pleasant vineyards,

    but you shall not drink their wine.

12 For I know how many are your transgressions

    and how great are your sins—

you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe

    and push aside the needy in the gate.

13 Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time,

    for it is an evil time.

14 Seek good and not evil,

    that you may live,

and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,

    just as you have said.

15 Hate evil and love good,

    and establish justice in the gate;

it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,

    will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

16 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:

In all the squares there shall be wailing,

    and in all the streets they shall say, “Alas! Alas!”

They shall call the farmers to mourning

    and those skilled in lamentation to wailing;

17 in all the vineyards there shall be wailing,

    for I will pass through the midst of you,

            says the Lord.

21 I hate, I despise your festivals,

    and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,

    I will not accept them,

and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals

    I will not look upon.

23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;

    I will not listen to the melody of your harps.

24 But let justice roll down like water

    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.