Amos 5:13

Amos 5:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
• New International Version (NIV)Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, For it is an evil time.

Context of Amos 5:13

11Therefore, because you trample on the poor, exacting from him a burden of grain, you built houses of hewn stone, but will not dwell in them, you planted pleasant vineyards, but will not drink their wine. 12For I know your crimes are many and your sins countless— afflicting the righteous, taking bribes, and turning the needy aside at the gate. Therefore the prudent keep silent at such a time —for it is a distressful time. 14Seek good and not evil, so you may live, and so Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot may be with you —just as you said! 15Hate evil, love good, maintain justice at the gate. Maybe Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot will extend grace to Joseph’s remnant.

Amos 5:13 word by word

לָכֵ֗ן הַמַּשְׂכִּ֛יל בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖יא יִדֹּ֑ם כִּ֛י עֵ֥ת רָעָ֖ה הִֽיא׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Therefore the prudentשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919
• shall keep silenceדָּמַםdâmam · to silence: silentH1826
• in that timeעֵת‛êth · timeH6256
• an evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451

Cross-references for Amos 5:13

• Amos 6:10One’s beloved—the one burning incense for him—will lift him up to carry the bones out of the house, and he will say to one in the innermost recess of the house: “Is anyone else still with you?” And he will say: “No one.” Then he will say, “Hush! For we must not mention the Name of Adonai.”
• Ecclesiastes 3:7a time to tear apart and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak;
• Isaiah 36:21But they were silent, and did not answer him a word, for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”
• Hosea 4:4Yet let no one dispute and let no one argue. Your people are like a kohen who makes quarrels.
• Micah 7:5Do not trust in a friend. Do not trust in a close companion. Guard the openings of your mouth from her who lies on your breast.
• Matthew 27:12And while He was accused by the ruling kohanim and elders, He did not answer.
• Ecclesiastes 9:12Moreover, no man knows his time: like fish caught in a fatal net or birds caught in a snare, so people are trapped in a time of calamity, that falls upon them suddenly.
• Isaiah 37:3Then they said to him: “Thus says Hezekiah: This day is a day of distress, rebuke and contempt. For children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength for giving birth.
• Micah 2:3Therefore, thus said Adonai: “Behold, I am scheming a calamity against this family from which you cannot remove your necks. Then you will not walk haughtily, for it will be a time of distress.”
• Habakkuk 3:16I heard, and my belly trembled. My lips quivered at the sound. Decay comes into my bones. I tremble where I stand, since I must wait quietly for a day of distress to come up against the people who will invade us.
• Zephaniah 2:2before the decree is brought forth, before the day passes away like chaff, before Adonai’s burning anger comes upon you, before the day of Adonai’s anger comes upon you!
• Ephesians 5:15So pay close attention to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise.
• Ephesians 6:13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm.
• 2 Timothy 3:1But understand this, that in the last days hard times will come—

Commentaries on Amos 5:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13The prudent shall keep silence - A wise man will consider that it is useless to complain. He can have no justice without bribes; and he has no money to give: consequently, in such an evil time, it is best to keep silence.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time - The “time” may be either the time of the obduracy of the wicked, or that of the common punishment. For a time may be called “evil,” whether evil is done, or is suffered in it, as Jacob says, “Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been” Genesis 47:9. Of the first, he would perhaps say, that the oppressed poor would, if wise, be silent, not complaining or accusing, for, injustice having…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-17Verses 7-17 The same almighty power can, for repenting sinners, easily turn affliction and sorrow into prosperity and joy, and as easily turn the prosperity of daring sinners into utter darkness. Evil times will not bear plain dealing; that is, evil men will not. And these men were evil men indeed, when wise and good men thought it in vain even to speak to them. Those who will seek and love that which is good, may help to save the land from ruin. It…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13Witnesses insisted they saw and heard nothing. Being truthful had become risky (Amos 5:10) and could put the speaker in danger.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. the prudent--the spiritually wise. shall keep silence--not mere silence of tongue, but the prudent shall keep himself quiet from taking part in any public or private affairs which he can avoid: as it is "an evil time," and one in which all law is set at naught. Ep 5:16 refers to this. Instead of impatiently agitating against irremediable evils, the godly wise will not cast pearls before swine, who would trample these, and rend the offerers (Mt 7:6)…Read the comment

Topics related to Amos 5:13

• Prudence
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Manifold
• Seek
• Calf, Golden
• Silence

Commentaries on Amos 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings