How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
And I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. I will take you for my wife in faithfulness; and you shall know the LORD. (NRSV Hosea 2:19-20)
And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. (KJV Hosea 2:19-20)
Cut through all the gush and this is about remaining loyal to the obligations in a marriage contract, another metaphor for relationship between God and his people.
Quote #2
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (NRSV Amos 5:22-24)
Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. (KJV Amos 5:20-24)
Actions speak louder than worship. This is one of the more famous statements of the many in the Minors about the importance of social justice and ethical behavior.
Quote #3
The faithful have disappeared from the land, and there is no one left who is upright; they all lie in wait for blood, and they hunt each other with nets. Their hands are skilled to do evil; the official and the judge ask for a bribe, and the powerful dictate what they desire; thus they pervert justice. (NRSV Micah 7:2-3)
The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. (KJV Micah 7:2-3)
Justice involves giving people what they deserve, not taking whatever you want. Money talks, but the Minor Prophets don’t like what it says. The corruption of the officials, God believes, sets the tone for a general “every man for himself” ethic.