1. Hear this word, Israel, this lament I take up concerning you:
2. ‘Fallen is Virgin Israel,never to rise again,deserted in her own land,with no one to lift her up.’
3. This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Israel:‘Your city that marches out a thousand strongwill have only a hundred left;your town that marches out a hundred strongwill have only ten left.’
4. This is what the Lord says to Israel:‘Seek me and live;
5. do not seek Bethel,do not go to Gilgal,do not journey to Beersheba.For Gilgal will surely go into exile,and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.’