'People' in the Bible

“I also will break the bar [of the gate] of Damascus,And cut off and destroy the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven (Wickedness),And the ruler who holds the scepter, from Beth-eden (Damascus);And the people of Aram [conquered by the Assyrians] will go into exile to Kir,”Says the Lord.

If a trumpet is blown in a city [warning of danger] will not the people tremble?If a disaster or misfortune occurs in a city has not the Lord caused it?

“So [the people of] two or three cities would stagger into one city to drink water,But would not be satisfied;Yet you have not returned to Me [in repentance],” says the Lord.

The Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said,“Behold, I am setting a plumb line [as a standard]Among My people Israel [showing the defectiveness of the nation, requiring judgment].I shall not spare them any longer. [The door of mercy is shut.]

But the Lord took me as I followed the flock and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’

And He said, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the Lord said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel. I will spare them no longer [for the nation is ripe for judgment].

“People shall stagger from sea to sea [to the very ends of the earth]And from the north even to the east;They will roam here and there to seek the word of the Lord [longing for it as essential for life],But they will not find it.

I saw [in a vision] the Lord standing at the altar, and He said,“Destroy the capitals (tops) of the pillars so that the thresholds will shake,And break them on the heads of all of the people!Then I will kill the rest of them with the sword;They will not have a fugitive who will get away,Or a survivor who will escape.

“All the sinners among My people will die by the sword,Those who say [defiantly], ‘The disaster will not overtake or confront us.’

“Also I shall bring back the exiles of My people Israel,And they will rebuild the deserted and ruined cities and inhabit them:They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine,And make gardens and eat their fruit.