2:1 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and
for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof;
because he burned the a bones of the king of Edom into
lime:
(a) For the Moabites were so cruel against the King of Edom,
that they burnt his bones after he was dead: which
declared their barbarous rage, that they would avenge
themselves upon the dead.
2:4 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and
for four, b I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof;
because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not
kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err,
after the which their fathers have walked:
(b) Seeing that the Gentiles who did have as much
knowledge were punished in this way, Judah which was so
fully instructed by the Lord's will, should not think
that they would escape.
2:6 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of c 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 d shoes;
(c) If he did not spare Judah unto whom his promises were
made, much more he will not spare this degenerate
kingdom.
(d) They esteemed most vile bribes more than men's lives.
2:7 That pant after the e dust of the earth on the head of the
poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his
father will go in unto the [same] maid, to profane my holy
name:
(e) When they have robbed him and thrown him to the ground,
they open wide their mouths for his life.
2:8 And they lay [themselves] down upon clothes laid to pledge
f by every altar, and they g drink the wine of the
condemned [in] the house of their god.
(f) Thinking that by these ceremonies, that is, by
sacrificing, and by being near my altar, they may excuse
all of their other wickedness.
(g) They rob others and offer it to God, thinking that he
will exempt them, when he is made partaker of their
iniquity.
2:9 Yet destroyed I the h Amorite before them, whose height
[was] like the height of the cedars, and he [was] strong as
the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his
roots from beneath.
(h) The destruction of their enemies and his mercy toward
them, should have caused their hearts to melt because of
love toward him.
2:11 And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of i your
young men for Nazarites. [Is it] not even thus, O ye
children of Israel? saith the LORD.
(i) You condemned my benefits, and abused my graces, and
craftily went about to stop the mouths of my Prophets.
2:13 Behold, I am k pressed under you, as a cart is pressed
[that is] full of sheaves.
(k) You have wearied me with your sins; (Isa 1:14).
2:14 Therefore the flight shall perish from the l swift, and
the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall
the mighty deliver himself:
