Definition: Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, 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:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Amos 2:4. It’s a really important verse in the Bible that speaks about God’s judgment on Judah – a nation near modern-day Israel. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is saying he will not forgive Judah for their mistakes. He’s deliberately choosing to punish them, and he’s going to do it for three times and four times. Let's unpack the details: “Thus saith the LORD” : This means God is speaking directly to us. “For three transgressions of Judah” : This refers to a series of sins or wrongdoings that happened in Judah (the people Israel was then). It’s not just one bad thing, but a pattern of behavior. “And for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof” : This is the key part. God isn't going to let these sins go unpunished. He will continue to bring about the consequences of their mistakes. The word "turn away" means to abandon or refuse to face a consequence. “Because they have despised the law of the LORD” : This is crucial. Judah had been ignoring God's laws and commandments. They were acting like they didn’t care about what was right, even though it was important for their relationship with God. It’s like refusing to follow a rule you know is important. “And have not kept his commandments” : This means they weren't following God's instructions or guidelines. They were breaking rules and laws that were given to them by God. “And their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked” : This is a sobering part. The lies and disobedience of Judah led them down a path of wrong decisions – similar to what their ancestors had done. It’s saying they continued to make mistakes that were similar to those of their forefathers. In short: God is deliberately punishing Judah because they've been defiant and disobeyed him, leading to a cycle of sin and consequences. What does this mean for us today? This verse speaks to the importance of obeying God’s laws and commandments. It’s a reminder that we are accountable to God and that we must strive to live righteously. It also warns against ignoring what is right, as it can lead to serious consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Connect it to a specific event or story?