Read the Bible

God’s Judgment on Israel and Judah

¹ Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O royal house! For the judgment is against you because you have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread out on Tabor.² The rebels are deep in slaughter; but I will chastise all of them.³ I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled.⁴ Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD.⁵ Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; both Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; even Judah stumbles with them.⁶ They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.⁷ They have been unfaithful to the LORD; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the New Moon^(a) will devour them along with their land.

⁸ Blow the horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry in Beth-aven^(a): Lead on, O Benjamin!⁹ Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of rebuke; among the tribes of Israel I declare what is certain.¹⁰ The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones; I will pour out My fury upon them like water.¹¹ Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, for he is determined to follow what is worthless^(a).¹² So I am like a moth to Ephraim, and like decay to the house of Judah.¹³ When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king^(a). 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. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.¹⁵ Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”