“People cry out because of the excess of oppression; they cry out for help because of the power of the mighty.

Ephraim will be oppressed, crushed under judgment, because he was determined to pursue worthless idols.

So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.

Make this announcement in the fortresses of Ashdod and in the fortresses in the land of Egypt. Say this: “Gather on the hills around Samaria! Observe the many acts of violence taking place within the city, the oppressive deeds occurring in it.”