God

They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have stopped obeying the LORD.

My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.

I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’

For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?

The rebels are deep in slaughter; but I will chastise them all.

I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled.

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.

They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.

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 will be laid waste on the day of rebuke. Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain.

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones; I will pour out My fury upon them like water.

So I am like a moth to Ephraim, and like decay to the house of Judah.

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 then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.

Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

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.

After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.

So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.

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.

Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.

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

But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me.

In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: Ephraim practices prostitution there, and Israel is defiled.

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

When I heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim will be exposed, as well as the crimes of Samaria. For they practice deceit and thieves break in; bandits raid in the streets.