Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus," says Yahweh, whose name is the God of hosts.
      II. What it was that he required in order to the acceptableness of their sacrifices and without which no sacrifice would be acceptable (Amos 5:24; Amos 5:24): Let judgment run down as waters, among you, and righteousness as a mighty stream, that is 1. "Let there be a general reformation of manners among you; let religion (God's judgment) and righteousness have their due influence upon you; let your land be watered with it, and let it bear down all the opposition of vice and profaneness; let it run wide as overflowing waters, and yet run strong as might stream." (2.) "In particular, let justice be duly administered by magistrates and rulers; let not the current of it be stopped by partiality and bribery, but let it come freely as waters do, in the natural course; let it be pure as running waters, not muddied with corruption or whatever may pervert justice; let it run like a might stream, and not suffer itself to be obstructed, or its course retarded, by the fear of man; let all have free access to it as a common stream, and have benefit by it as trees planted by the rivers of waters." The great thing laid to Israel's charge was turning judgment into wormwood (Amos 5:7; Amos 5:7); in that matter therefore they must reform, Zechariah 7:9. This was what God desired more than sacrifices,Hosea 6:6; 1 Samuel 15:22.