Amos 5:14

Amos 5:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
• New International Version (NIV)Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Seek good and not evil, That you may live; So the Lord God of hosts will be with you, As you have spoken.

Context of Amos 5:14

12For I know your crimes are many and your sins countless— afflicting the righteous, taking bribes, and turning the needy aside at the gate. 13Therefore the prudent keep silent at such a time —for it is a distressful time. Seek 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. 16Therefore thus said Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot, my Lord: “There will be wailing in all plazas and in all streets. They will say: ‘Alas! Alas!’ The farmer will be called to mourning along with those who know the lamentation song.

Amos 5:14 word by word

דִּרְשׁוּ־ט֥וֹב וְאַל־רָ֖ע לְמַ֣עַן תִּֽחְי֑וּ וִיהִי־כֵ֞ן יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־צְבָא֛וֹת אִתְּכֶ֖ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲמַרְתֶּֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Seekדָּרַשׁdârash · to seekH1875
• goodטוֹבţôb · goodH2896
• and not evilרַעra‛ râ‛âh · bad: evilH7451
• that ye may liveחָיָהchâyâh · to liveH2421
• and so the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• the Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• of hostsצָבָאtsâbâ' tsebâ'âh · HostsH6635
• shall be with you, as ye have spokenאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559

Cross-references for Amos 5:14

• Psalms 34:12Come, children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of Adonai.
• Proverbs 11:27A person who diligently seeks good finds favor, but to one who searches for evil, evil comes to him!
• Isaiah 1:16“Wash and make yourselves clean. Put away the evil of your deeds from before My eyes. Cease to do evil.
• Isaiah 55:2Why do you spend money for what is not bread? Your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.
• Micah 6:8He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what Adonai is seeking from you: Only to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
• Matthew 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
• Romans 2:7To those who by perseverance in doing good are seeking glory, honor, and immortality—eternal life.
• Amos 3:3Can two walk together unless they meet by appointment?
• Genesis 39:2But Adonai was with Joseph. So he became a successful man in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
• Exodus 3:12So He said, “I will surely be with you. So that will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt: you will worship God on this mountain.”
• Joshua 1:9Have I not commanded you? Chazak! Be strong! Do not be terrified or dismayed, for Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.”
• 1 Chronicles 28:20Also David said to his son Solomon: “Chazak! And be courageous, and do it! Do not be afraid or dismayed, for Adonai Elohim my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the avodah of the House of Adonai is finished.
• 2 Chronicles 15:2He went out to meet Asa, and said to him, “Listen to me Asa, all Judah and Benjamin. Adonai is with you as long as you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you. But if you forsake Him, He will spurn you.
• Psalms 46:11“Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.”
• Isaiah 8:10Take counsel together, but it will amount to nothing. Speak a word, but it will not stand. For God is with us!
• Matthew 1:23“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

Commentaries on Amos 5:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14Seek good, and not evil - Is there a greater mystery in the world, than that a mall, instead of seeking good, will seek evil, knowing that it is evil? And so the Lord - As God is the Fountain of good, so they who seek the supreme good seek him: and they who seek shall find him; For the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with him.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Seek good and not evil - that is, and “seek not evil.” Amos again takes up his warning, “seek not Bethel; seek the Lord.” Now they not only “did evil,” but they “sought” it diligently; they were diligent in doing it, and so, in bringing it on themselves; they sought it out and the occasions of it. People “cannot seek good without first putting away evil, as it is written, cease to do evil, learn to do well‘ Isaiah 1:16-17.” “Ye cannot serve God and…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. 14Amos clarifies his earlier hints (Amos 5:4, 6). Israel must do what is good and right in order to survive.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. and so--on condition of your "seeking good." shall be with you, as ye have spoken--as ye have boasted; namely, that God is with you, and that you are His people (Mi 3:11).Read the comment

Topics related to Amos 5:14

• Seekers

In the dictionaries

• God
• Manifold
• Seek
• Calf, Golden

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