Amo 5:10-13 | NETfull | STEP | The Israelites hate anyone who arbitrates at the city gate; they despise anyone who speaks honestly.

Amos 5:10-13

10 The Israelites ^{▼▼ Heb “they”; the referent (the Israelites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} hate anyone who arbitrates at the city gate; ^{▼▼ In ancient Israelite culture, legal disputes were resolved in the city gate, where the town elders met.}
they despise anyone who speaks honestly.
11 Therefore, because you make the poor pay taxes on their crops ^{▼▼ Traditionally, “because you trample on the poor” (cf. KJV, ASV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT). The traditional view derives the verb from בּוּס (bus, “to trample”; cf. Isa. 14:25), but more likely it is cognate to an Akkadian verb meaning “to exact an agricultural tax” (see H. R. Cohen, Biblical Hapax Legomena [SBLDS], 49; S. M. Paul, Amos [Hermeneia], 172–73).}
and exact a grain tax from them,
you will not live in the houses you built with chiseled stone,
nor will you drink the wine from the fine ^{▼▼ Or “lovely”; KJV, NASB, NRSV “pleasant”; NAB “choice”; NIV “lush.”} vineyards you planted. ^{▼▼ Heb “Houses of chiseled stone you built, but you will not live in them. Fine vineyards you planted, but you will not drink their wine.”}
12 Certainly ^{▼▼ Or “for.”} I am aware of ^{▼▼ Or “I know” (so most English versions).} your many rebellious acts ^{▼▼ Or “transgressions,” “sins.” See the note on the word “crimes” in 1:3 and on the phrase “covenant violations” in 2:4.}
and your numerous sins.
You ^{▼▼ Heb “Those who.”} torment the innocent, you take bribes,
and you deny justice to ^{▼▼ Heb “turn aside.” They “turn aside” the needy by denying them the justice they deserve at the city gate (where legal decisions were made, and therefore where justice should be done).} the needy at the city gate. ^{▼▼ Legal disputes were resolved in the city gate, where the town elders met.}
13 For this reason whoever is smart ^{▼▼ Or “the wise”; or “the prudent.” Another option is to translate “the successful, prosperous” and understand this as a reference to the rich oppressors. See G. V. Smith, Amos, 169–70. In this case the following verb will also have a different nuance, that is, the wealthy remain silent before the abuses they perpetuate. See the note on the verb translated “keeps quiet” later in this verse.} keeps quiet ^{▼▼ Or “moans, laments,” from a homonymic verbal root. If the rich oppressors are in view, then the verb (whether translated “will be silenced” or “will lament”) describes the result of God’s judgment upon them. See G. V. Smith, Amos, 170.} in such a time,
for it is an evil ^{▼▼ If this is a judgment announcement against the rich, then the Hebrew phrase עֵת רָעָה (’et ra’ah) must be translated, “[a] disastrous time.” See G. V. Smith, Amos, 170.} time.