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Amos 5:12-24

        For I know how many are your transgressions,
        and how great are your sins —
        you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
        and push aside the needy in the gate.
        Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time;
        for it is an evil time.

        Seek good and not evil,
        that you may live;
        and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you,
        just as you have said.
        Hate evil and love good,
        and establish justice in the gate;
        it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts,
        will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

        Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD:
        In all the squares there shall be wailing;
        and in all the streets they shall say, "Alas! alas!"
        They shall call the farmers to mourning,
        and those skilled in lamentation, to wailing;
        in all the vineyards there shall be wailing,
        for I will pass through the midst of you,
says the LORD.

        Alas for you who desire the day of the LORD!
        Why do you want the day of the LORD?
        It is darkness, not light;
        as if someone fled from a lion,
        and was met by a bear;
        or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
        and was bitten by a snake.
        Is not the day of the LORD darkness, not light,
        and gloom with no brightness in it?

        I hate, I despise your festivals,
        and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
        Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
        I will not accept them;
        and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
        I will not look upon.
        Take away from me the noise of your songs;
        I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
        But let justice roll down like waters,
        and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.