Amos 8:6

4 Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,

5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?

That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?

7 The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.

8 Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.

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
Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!”
KJV
That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
WEB
that we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals, and sell the sweepings with the wheat?’”
ASV
that we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
DARBY
that we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; and that we may sell the refuse of the wheat.
BLB
to acquire the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, even selling the chaff with the wheat?”
ÅB
og kjøpe de ringe for penger og den fattige for et par sko og selge avfall av korn?
OTB
kjøper de fattige for sølv
og de trengende for et par sandaler,
og selger til og med avfallet av hveten.
B1930
og kjøpe de ringe for penger og den fattige for et par sko og selge avfall av korn?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Amos 2:6

    Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;

    Read in context
  • Joel 3:6

    The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.

    Read in context
  • Joel 3:3

    And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 25:39–42

    And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:

    Read in context
  • Amos 8:4

    Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,

    Read in context
  • Nehemiah 5:1–5

    And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

    Read in context
  • Nehemiah 5:8

    And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

    Read in context