The Israelites ¹  turn justice into bitterness; ²  they throw what is fair and right ³  to the ground. ⁴ 

biblegateway Amo 5:7

For those who turn justice into wormwood And cast righteousness down to the earth."

Those who turn justice into wormwood throw righteousness to the ground.

You, Israel, turn justice into poison and throw righteousness on the ground.

biblegateway Amo 5:7

You who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground

O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth!

bibleoremus Amo 5:7

Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground!

You that turn justice to poison and thrust righteousness to the ground,

biblegateway Amo 5:7

You who turn justice to wormwood, And lay righteousness to rest in the earth!"

Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,

biblegateway Amo 5:7

The Israelites ¹  turn justice into bitterness; ²  they throw what is fair and right ³  to the ground. ⁴ 

¹ tn Heb “Those who”; the referent (the Israelites) has been specified in the translation for clarity. In light of vv. 11-13, it is also possible that the words are directed at a more limited group within the nation – those with social and economic power.

² tn There is an interesting wordplay here with the verb הָפַךְ (hafakh, “overturn, turn”). Israel “turns” justice into wormwood (cf. 6:12), while the Lord “turns” darkness into morning (v. 8; cf. 4:11; 8:10). Israel’s turning is for evil, whereas the Lord’s is to demonstrate his absolute power and sovereignty.

³ tn Heb “they throw righteousness.”

⁴ sn In v. 7 the prophet begins to describe the guilty Israelites, but then interrupts his word picture with a parenthetical, but powerful, description of the judge they must face (vv. 8-9). He resumes his description of the sinners in v. 10.