The Hebrew Prophets

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.

They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.

And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.

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

Promiscuity, wine, and new wine take away understanding.

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.

They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

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?

Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!

When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.

The whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.

“Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O royal house! For this judgment is against you because you have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor.

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.

Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; even Judah stumbles with them.

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.

Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry in Beth-aven: Lead on, O Benjamin!

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.

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