Social injustice and the victimization of the poor by the rich was referred to in 2: 6-8, and condemnation of these evils is central to oracles which follow.

3: 9-12 condemns the rich of Samaria, where the king had his palace .

3: 15 predicts the destruction of their 'winter houses and summer houses'.

4: 1-3 condemns the rich women of Samaria 'who grow fat like the wellfed cows of Bashan' .

5: 10-15 sets out the ways in which injustice flourishes in Israel.

6: 1-8 describes the arrogant confidence of the rich 'who stretch out on your luxurious couches, feasting on veal and lamb', who 'drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest perfumes'. The rich are warned that God hates their pride and will hand over their city and everything in it to the enemy who will destroy them.      .

8: 4-6 condemns dishonest merchants. We should be clear that Amos is not merely condemning the rich because they are rich, but because they have obtained their wealth and luxury by unjust means. They have victimized and wrongfully exploited poor fellow Israelites. They live as though the Covenant Law had never existed. Whilst the rich people of Samaria live in extravagant luxury, the poor Israelites struggle to survive in the face of grinding poverty and oppression.