Thus saith the Lord:
     A shepherd who tries to rescue
     a sheep from the lion’s mouth
     will only recover two legs
     and a piece of an ear:
     So it will be for the Israelites
     lying on luxurious beds,
     and for the people of Damascus
     reclining on couches.
 
              ―Amos 3:12
             
Birthrights a neurochemical
Grasshoppers licking fentanyl
Straw mats burning 'cross Modesto
Priesthood dressed up all impeccable
Impeaching ecclesiastic genitals       
Prophets stoned on Manifestos
   
  Jerusalem's a Mannequin
     Drooping like a palm tree
  Folsom’s full of prison gold
     A real Vegas V.I.P.
  Esau shoulda sold
     His porridge
  To an actuary
 
Californians flyin’ high out of L-A-X
Sacramento Kings cashin’ all them checks
Prophylactic partiers at the San Diego Zoo
Gods of polyurethane come to pay respects
My ex is selling manna like a used Rolex
Passed out in Pasadena huffing glue and latex
 
  Surf’s up in Miami
     Better catch the red eye
  Dust off your black tie
      We're dining in the Projects
  Gresham’s law
     Is gonna make
  Sinai look like Versailles
     No one's credit's gonna last
  After we die
     
Look! Salt Lake City with her pretty damoiselles
All nip and tuck and eatin’ at the Taco Bell
Granite-hewn marquees display “All-is-Well!”
Selling tithes for tokens (now don’t you tell)
Call a solemn assembly at the New Beth-El
Priest Amaziah’s pinned the Keys on his lapel
 
  What is religion
     But a merry carousel?
  For three sins of Damascus
     Shoppin' at the Dollar Store
  God’s fulgurous word
     Has fallen like a sycomore
  Cactus in my mouth
     A bleeding iron rod
  Tongue’s all saddle sore
     Here in the house of God