Judgment against Israel

1“Hear this, priests,

pay attention, house of Israel,

listen, royal family!

For judgment is coming your way,a

because you have been a trap to Mizpah,

a snare spread out on Mountb Tabor.

2The rebels are deep into their slaughter;

I am punishing them all.

3I know Ephraim,

and Israel cannot hide from me,

since you, Ephraim, have been acting like a prostitute,

defiling Israel.

4“Their actions hinder them from turning to their God,

because a spirit of fornication is in their midst,

and the LORD they do not know.

5The arrogance of Israel testifies against him;

therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity,

and Judah with them.

6They will go with their flocks and herds

to seek the LORD,

but they will not find him;

he has withdrawn from them.

7They have been unfaithful to the LORD,

having raised unbelieving children.

In the coming month they will be devoured,

along with their fields.c

8“Sound the trumpet in Gibeah,

and the alarm in Ramah.

Cry out at Beth-aven

Go out,d Benjamin!

9Ephraim will be desolate

when it is rebuked.

I have made known among the tribes of Israel

what will surely come about.

10The princes of Judah have become

like those who move boundary markers:

I will pour out my anger on them like water.

11Ephraim is crushed,

broken by judgment,

because hee willingly pursued idols.f

12Therefore I will consumeg Ephraim like a moth,

and the house of Judah as rottenness consumes.

13When Ephraim examined his illness

and Judah his injury,

then Ephraim went to Assyria,

and inquired of the great king;

but he could not cure you

nor heal your injury.

14Therefore I will be like a lion to Ephraim,

and like a young lion to the house of Judah.

I—even I—will tear themh to pieces,

and then I will leave.

I will take themi away,

and there will be no rescue.

15“I will leave and go back to my place

until they admit their offense

and seek my face.

When affliction comes to them,

they will eagerly seek me.”