Amos 5:18

The Lord Demands Justice

5:18 Woe ¹  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.

Amos 8:6

8:6 We’re eager to trade silver for the poor, ² 

a pair of sandals ³  for the needy!

We want to mix in some chaff with the grain!” ⁴ 

[5:18]  ¹ tn The term הוֹי (hoy, “woe”) was used when mourning the dead (see the note on the word “dead” in 5:16). The prophet here either engages in role playing and mourns the death of the nation in advance or sarcastically taunts those who hold to this misplaced belief.

[8:6]  ² tn Heb “to buy the poor for silver.”

[8:6]  ³ tn See the note on the word “sandals” in 2:6.

[8:6]  ⁴ tn Heb “The chaff of the grain we will sell.”