Against the marked oppression, the flagrant injustice, the unwonted luxury and extravagance, the shameless feasting and drunkenness, the gross licentiousness and debauchery, of their age, the prophets lifted their voices; but in vain were their protests, in vain their denunciation of sin. "Him that rebuketh in the gate," declared Amos, "they hate, . . . and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly." "They afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right." Amos 5:10, 12.

Profeterne hævede røsten imod tidens skrigende magtmisbrug, himmelråbende uretfærdighed, grænseløse luksus og overdådighed, skandaløse frådseri og drukkenskab og den kolossale løssluppenhed. Men det var forgæves, at de protesterede og fordømte synden. Amos sagde: "De hader rettens talsmand i porten og afskyr den, som taler sandt." "I rettens fjender, som tager mod bøde og bortviser fattige i porten." Amos. 5,10. og 12.