Amos 5:7

The Israelites ¹  turn justice into bitterness; ²  they throw what is fair and right ³  to the ground. ⁴ 

biblegateway Amo 5:7

You who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground

biblegateway Amo 5:7

For those who turn justice into wormwood And cast righteousness down to the earth."

biblegateway Amo 5:7

You wicked people! You twist justice, making it a bitter pill for the poor and oppressed. Righteousness and fair play are meaningless fictions to you.

biblegateway Amo 5:7

Woe to you who turn justice to vinegar and stomp righteousness into the mud.

SABDAweb Amo 5:7

You who make the work of judging a bitter thing, crushing down righteousness to the earth;

bibleoremus Amo 5:7

Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground!

biblegateway Amo 5:7

You who turn justice to wormwood, And lay righteousness to rest in the earth!"

biblegateway Amo 5:7

The Israelites ¹  turn justice into bitterness; ²  they throw what is fair and right ³  to the ground. ⁴ 

¹ tn Heb “Those who”; the referent (the Israelites) has been specified in the translation for clarity. In light of vv. 11-13, it is also possible that the words are directed at a more limited group within the nation – those with social and economic power.

² tn There is an interesting wordplay here with the verb הָפַךְ (hafakh, “overturn, turn”). Israel “turns” justice into wormwood (cf. 6:12), while the Lord “turns” darkness into morning (v. 8; cf. 4:11; 8:10). Israel’s turning is for evil, whereas the Lord’s is to demonstrate his absolute power and sovereignty.

³ tn Heb “they throw righteousness.”

⁴ sn In v. 7 the prophet begins to describe the guilty Israelites, but then interrupts his word picture with a parenthetical, but powerful, description of the judge they must face (vv. 8-9). He resumes his description of the sinners in v. 10.