Amo 2:8 | TNotes | STEP | 2:8 The irony is that the oppressors of the poor flaunted their sins at religious festivals . • The Torah allowed a lender to take a poor man’s cloak as security for a debt, but it was not to be kept overnight, because the nights were cold (Exod 22:26-27 ; Deut 24:12-13 ). A widow’s clothing was never to be taken as security for a debt (Deut 24:17 ). • unjust fines: The wealthy bribed judges and used their influence to keep the poor, who could not defend themselves, from obtaining a fair hearing (Amos 5:12 ).

bExod 22:26-27►

cDeut 24:12-13►

dDeut 24:17►

eAmos 5:12►

‏ Amos 2:8

2:8 ^a The irony is that the oppressors of the poor flaunted their sins at religious festivals.

• The Torah allowed a lender to take a poor man’s cloak as security for a debt, but it was not to be kept overnight, because the nights were cold (Exod 22:26-27 ^b; Deut 24:12-13 ^c). A widow’s clothing was never to be taken as security for a debt (Deut 24:17 ^d).

• unjust fines: The wealthy bribed judges and used their influence to keep the poor, who could not defend themselves, from obtaining a fair hearing (Amos 5:12 ^e).