16 Now then, hear the word of the Lord. You say, " 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the descendants of Isaac.'
16 Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.
16 Now therefore hear the word of the Lord. "You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not preach against the house of Isaac.'
16 "So listen to God's Word. You tell me, 'Don't preach to Israel. Don't say anything against the family of Isaac.'
16 Now therefore, hear the word of the Lord: You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, And do not spout against the house of Isaac.'
16 Now then, listen to this message from the Lord : "You say, 'Don't prophesy against Israel. Stop preaching against my people. '
6 "Do not prophesy," their prophets say. "Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us."
6 Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.
6 "Do not preach"--thus they preach-- "one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us."
6 "Don't preach," say the preachers. "Don't preach such stuff. Nothing bad will happen to us.
6 "Do not prattle," you say to those who prophesy. So they shall not prophesy to you; They shall not return insult for insult.
6 "Don't say such things," the people respond. "Don't prophesy like that. Such disasters will never come our way!"
(Read Micah 2:6-11)
Since they say, "Prophesy not," God will take them at their word, and their sin shall be their punishment. Let the physician no longer attend the patient that will not be healed. Those are enemies, not only to God, but to their country, who silence good ministers, and stop the means of grace. What bonds will hold those who have no reverence for God's word? Sinners cannot expect to rest in a land they have polluted. You shall not only be obliged to depart out of this land, but it shall destroy you. Apply this to our state in this present world. There is corruption in the world through lust, and we should keep at a distance from it. It is not our rest: it was designed for our passage, but not for our portion; our inn, but not our home; here we have no continuing city; let us therefore arise and depart, let us seek a continuing city above. Since they will be deceived, let them be deceived. Teachers who recommend self-indulgence by their doctrine and example, best suit such sinners.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Amos 7:16
Commentary on Amos 7:10-17
(Read Amos 7:10-17)
It is no new thing for the accusers of the brethren, to misrepresent them as enemies to the king and kingdom, as traitors to their prince, and troublers of the land, when they are the best friends to both. Those who make gain their godliness, and are governed by the hopes of wealth and preferment, are ready to think these the most powerful motives with others also. But those who have a warrant from God, like Amos, ought not to fear the face of man. If God, that sent him, had not strengthened him, he could not thus have set his face as a flint. The Lord often chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise and mighty. But no fervent prayers, or self-denying labours, can bring proud sinners to bear faithful reproofs and warnings. And all who oppose or despise the Divine word, must expect fatal effects to their souls, unless they repent.