In that day/On that day. See 2.16; 8.9.

The fair virgins and the young men/healthy young men and women. The reference is to the entire nation, as represented by its strongest members. Good News Translation brings this out by adding even and healthy.

Shall faint for thirst/will collapse from thirst. Thirst in this case is not metaphorical, that is, a lack of any response from the LORD, but literal, that is, lack of water. In some cases the translation should be “die from thirst.” It may be good to strengthen the contrast between 8.11-12 and 8.13-14, so that thirst will not be understood as spiritual lack here. For example, the Good News Translation would make the difference clearer if verse 13 was translated “Moreover, on that day even healthy young men and women will collapse from lack of water.”

Quoted with permission from de Waard, Jan & Smalley, William A. A Handbook on Amos. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1979. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .