Amos 5:12

“For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins, etc.] Their sins were numerous, and of the first magnitude, attended with very heavy aggravations; and these with all their circumstances were well known to the omniscient God, and therefore he determined to punish them as he had threatened. Some of their transgressions are pointed out, as follow: they afflict the just; who are so both in a moral and evangelic sense; not comparatively only, but really; and particularly whose cause was just, and yet were vexed and distressed by unjust judges, who gave the cause against them, made them pay all costs and charges, and severely mulcted them: they take a bribe; of those that were…”

“they afflict . . . they take--rather, "(ye) who afflict . . . take." bribe--literally, a price with which one who has an unjust cause ransoms himself from your sentence (Sa1 12:3, Margin; Pro 6:35). turn aside the poor in the gate--refuse them their right in the place of justice (Amo 2:7; Isa 29:21).”

“For I know - Literally, “I have known.” They thought that God did not know, because He did not avenge; as the Psalmist says, “Thy judgments are far above out of his sight” Psalms 10:5. People who do not act with the thought of God, cease to know Him, and forget that He knows them. “Your manifold transgressions;” literally, “many are your transgressions and mighty your sins.” Their deeds, they knew, were mighty, strong, vigorous, decided. God says, that their “sins” were so, not many and great only, but “mighty, strong” , “issuing not out of ignorance and infirmity, but out of proud strength” , “‘strong’ in the oppression of the poor and in provoking God,” and bringing down His wrath. So…”

“In the gate - In their courts of justice. Amos 5:13”

“I know: Deu 31:21; Isa 66:18; Jer 29:23; Heb 4:12, Heb 4:13 manifold: Kg2 17:7-17; Isa 47:9 they afflict: Amo 2:6, Amo 2:7, Amo 2:16; Act 3:13, Act 3:14, Act 7:52; Jam 5:4, Jam 5:6 take: Sa1 8:3; Psa 26:9, Psa 26:10; Isa 1:23, Isa 33:15; Mic 3:11, Mic 7:3 bribe: or, ransom and they: Amo 2:7; Isa 10:2, Isa 29:21; Lam 3:34; Mal 3:5 in the: Amo 5:10; Deu 16:18; Rut 4:1; Job 29:7-25, Job 31:21; Pro 22:22 Amos 5:13”