1. Hear this, priests! Pay attention, house of Israel!Listen, royal house!For the judgment applies to youbecause you have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread out on Tabor.
2. Rebels are deeply involved in slaughter; I will be a punishment for all of them.
3. I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me.For now, Ephraim, you have acted promiscuously;Israel is defiled.
4. Their actions do not allow themto return to their God, for a spirit of promiscuity is among them, and they do not know the Lord.
5. Israel’s arrogance testifies against them. Both Israel and Ephraim stumblebecause of their wickedness; even Judah will stumble with them.
6. They go with their flocks and herdsto seek the Lord but do not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.
7. They betrayed the Lord; indeed, they gave birth to illegitimate children. Now the New Moon will devour themalong with their fields.
8. Blow the horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the war cry in Beth-aven: After you, Benjamin!
9. Ephraim will become a desolation on the day of punishment; I announce what is certainamong the tribes of Israel.
10. The princes of Judah are like thosewho move boundary markers; I will pour out My fury on them like water.
11. Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, for he is determined to follow what is worthless.
12. So I am like rot to Ephraim and like decay to the house of Judah.
13. When Ephraim saw his sicknessand Judah his wound,Ephraim went to Assyria and sent a delegation to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.
14. For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah.Yes, I will tear them to pieces and depart. I will carry them off,and no one can rescue them.
15. I will depart and return to My placeuntil they recognize their guilt and seek My face; they will search for Me in their distress.