Amos 5:12

Amharic New Standard Translation (አማርኛ አዲሱ መደበኛ ትርጉም) 2005

በደላችሁ ምን ያኽል እንደ በዛና ኃጢአታችሁም ምን ያኽል ከባድ እንደ ሆነ ዐውቃለሁ፤ ደጋግ ሰዎችን ታስጨንቃላችሁ፤ ጉቦ እየተቀበላችሁ በየፍርድ አደባባዩ የምስኪኖችን ፍትሕ ታጣምማላችሁ።

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Amos says that God knows about all the sins people are doing, especially hurting good people and taking bribes to keep poor people from getting justice. It is God speaking through the prophet Amos.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing a game where everyone has agreed on rules for fair play. But some kids cheat by taking things that don't belong to them or making others follow unfair rules just because they can. That's what this verse talks about, but it’s much more serious and God is very upset about it.

Historical Background

Amos wrote his prophecy around the eighth century B.C., during a time of economic prosperity in Israel but also social injustice. He was addressing the wealthy and powerful who were oppressing the poor and needy, which was against the ethical standards of that era.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, think about workplaces where managers might favor employees who give them gifts or extra perks instead of promoting fairness. This verse reminds us to seek justice for all, especially those without a voice.

Topics

• justice
• injustice
• sin
• poverty
• ethics
• oppression

Related Verses

• Exodus 23:6
• Proverbs 17:23
• Isaiah 10:1-2
• Micah 3:9-12
• Matthew 23:25

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is speaking in Amos 5:12?

It's God, who is speaking through the prophet Amos. He is telling them about their sins.

What does it mean to 'turn aside the poor at the gate'?

This phrase means preventing or denying justice and rights to the poor when they seek help or fair treatment in legal matters, like court hearings that were often held near city gates.

How can we avoid taking bribes?

To avoid accepting bribes, one should have strong ethical values, seek integrity in all dealings, and be aware of the consequences both ethically and legally of such actions.

What does this verse teach about justice for the poor?

It teaches that justice must be upheld equally for everyone, particularly protecting those who are powerless. It condemns any form of corruption or injustice towards the less fortunate.