Amo 6:3-6 | NET2full | STEP | You refuse to believe a day of disaster will come , but you establish a reign of violence .

‏ Amos 6:3-6

3 You refuse to believe a day of disaster will come, ^{▼▼tn Heb “those who push away a day of disaster.”}
but you establish a reign of violence. ^{▼▼tn Heb “you bring near a seat of violence.” The precise meaning of the Hebrew term שֶׁבֶת (shevet, “seat, sitting”) is unclear in this context. The translation assumes that it refers to a throne from which violence (in the person of the oppressive leaders) reigns. Another option is that the expression refers not to the leaders’ oppressive rule, but to the coming judgment when violence will overtake the nation in the person of enemy invaders.}
4 They lie around on beds decorated with ivory ^{▼▼tn Heb “beds of ivory.”}
and sprawl out on their couches.
They eat lambs from the flock
and calves from the middle of the pen.
5 They sing ^{▼▼tn The meaning of the Hebrew verb פָּרַט (parat), which occurs only here in the OT, is unclear. Some translate “strum,” “pluck,” or “improvise.”} to the tune of ^{▼▼tn Heb “upon the mouth of,” that is, “according to.”} stringed instruments; ^{▼▼sn The stringed instruments mentioned here are probably harps (cf. NIV, NRSV) or lutes (cf. NEB).}
like David they invent ^{▼▼tn The meaning of the Hebrew phrase חָשְׁבוּ לָהֶם (khashevu lahem) is uncertain. Various options include: (1) “they think their musical instruments are like David’s”; (2) “they consider themselves musicians like David”; (3) “they esteem musical instruments highly like David”; (4) “they improvise [new songs] for themselves [on] instruments like David”; and (5) “they invent musical instruments like David.” However, the most commonly accepted interpretation is that given in the translation (see S. M. Paul, Amos [Hermeneia], 206-7).} musical instruments.
6 They drink wine from sacrificial bowls ^{▼▼sn Perhaps some religious rite is in view, or the size of the bowls is emphasized (i.e., bowls as large as sacrificial bowls).}
and pour the very best oils on themselves. ^{▼▼tn Heb “with the best of oils they anoint [themselves].”}
Yet they are not concerned over ^{▼▼tn Or “not sickened by.”} the ruin ^{▼▼sn The ruin of Joseph may refer to the societal disintegration in Israel, or to the effects of the impending judgment.} of Joseph.