[1] Hear this, O priests! Pay attention, O house of Israel! Listen, O house of the king! For the judgment is for you, because you have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread over Tabor, [2] and a pit dug deep in Shittim; but I will discipline them all. [3] I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; for now, O Ephraim, you have played the whore. Israel is defiled. [4] Their deeds do not allow them to return to their God; for a spirit of harlotry is in their midst, and they do not know the LORD. [5] The pride of Israel testifies against him. Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity. Judah also stumbles with them. [6] With their flocks and their herds they will go to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him. He has withdrawn from them. [7] They have dealt faithlessly with the LORD, for they have given birth to illegitimate children. Now the New Moon will devour them along with their portion. [8] Blow the horn in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah. Cry aloud at Beth Aven, " Look behind you, O Benjamin!" [9] Ephraim will become desolate in the day of punishment. Among the tribes of Israel I make known that which is sure. [10] The princes of Judah have become like those who remove a boundary marker. Upon them I will pour out My wrath like water. [11] Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he eagerly followed after vanity. [12] Therefore I will be like pus to Ephraim and like rottenness to the house of Judah. [13] When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah saw his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to King Jareb. Yet he cannot cure you or heal your wound. [14] For I will be like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, Myself, will tear and go away. I will carry off, and no one will rescue. [15] I will again return to My place until they acknowledge their offense and seek My face. In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.
