Amos 5:13
11 Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted.
12 For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.
Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
14 Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed.
15 Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
- KJV
- Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
- WEB
- Therefore a prudent person keeps silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.
- ASV
- Therefore he that is prudent shall keep silence in such a time; for it is an evil time.
- DARBY
- Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in this time; for it is an evil time.
- BLB
- Therefore, the one acting prudently at that time will keep silent, for it [is] an evil time.
- ÅB
- Derfor, den som er klok, han tier i denne tid; for det er en ond tid.
- OTB
- Derfor, de kloke tier i en slik tid,
for det er en ond tid. - B1930
- Derfor, den som er klok, han tier i denne tid; for det er en ond tid.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Timothy 3:1
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.
Read in contextHosea 4:4
But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.
Read in contextEphesians 5:15–16
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Read in contextMicah 2:3
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I am planning against this nation a disaster from which you cannot free your necks. Then you will not walk so proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 3:7
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
Read in contextAmos 6:10
And when the relative who is to burn the bodies picks them up to remove them from the house, he will call to one inside, “Is anyone else with you?” “None,” that person will answer. “Silence,” the relative will retort, “for the name of the LORD must not be invoked.”
Read in contextMicah 7:5–7
Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
Read in contextHabakkuk 3:16
I heard and trembled within; my lips quivered at the sound. Decay entered my bones; I trembled where I stood. Yet I must wait patiently for the day of distress to come upon the people who invade us.
Read in context