Amos 3:2

3:2 “I have chosen ¹  you alone from all the clans of the earth. Therefore I will punish you for all your sins.”

Amos 5:12

5:12 Certainly ²  I am aware of ³  your many rebellious acts ⁴ 

and your numerous sins.

You ⁵  torment the innocent, you take bribes,

and you deny justice to ⁶  the needy at the city gate. ⁷ 

[3:2]  ¹ tn Heb “You only have I known.” The Hebrew verb יָדַע (yada’) is used here in its covenantal sense of “recognize in a special way.”

[5:12]  ² tn Or “for.”

[5:12]  ³ tn Or “I know” (so most English versions).

[5:12]  ⁴ tn Or “transgressions,” “sins.” See the note on the word “crimes” in 1:3 and on the phrase “covenant violations” in 2:4.

[5:12]  ⁵ tn Heb “Those who.”

[5:12]  ⁶ tn Heb “turn aside.” They “turn aside” the needy by denying them the justice they deserve at the city gate (where legal decisions were made, and therefore where justice should be done).

[5:12]  ⁷ sn Legal disputes were resolved in the city gate, where the town elders met.