Study Desk

They have been unfaithful to the LORD; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the New Moon will devour them along with their land.

Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, for he is determined to follow what is worthless.

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.

Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I will restore My people from captivity.

When I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is exposed, with the crimes of Samaria. For they practice deceit and thieves break in; bandits rob in the streets.

For they prepare their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.

Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against Me! Though I would redeem them, they speak lies against Me.

They do not cry out to Me from their hearts when they wail upon their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine, but turn away from Me.

They turn, but not to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword for the cursing of their tongue; for this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt.

For this thing is from Israel-a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.

For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers.

Though Ephraim multiplied the altars for sin, they became his altars for sinning.

Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange.

Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations, for you have played the harlot against your God; you have made love for hire on every threshing floor.

They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD, and their sacrifices will not please Him, but will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat it will be defiled. For their bread will be for themselves; it will not enter the house of the LORD.

For even if they flee destruction, Egypt will gather them and Memphis will bury them. Their precious silver will be taken over by thistles, and thorns will overrun their tents.

I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.