The Hebrew Prophets

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.

The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived— let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.

The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God!

They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.

Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird, with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.

Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!

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

Give them, O LORD— what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up!

All their evil appears at Gilgal, for there I hated them. I will drive them from My house for the wickedness of their deeds. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious.

Ephraim is struck down; their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs.

My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars.

Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.

Surely now they will say, “We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us?”

They speak mere words; with false oaths they make covenants. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.

The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn with its idolatrous priests— those who rejoiced in its glory— for it has been taken from them into exile.

Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols.

Samaria will be carried off with her king like a twig on the surface of the water.

The high places of Aven will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”

Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity?

I will chasten them when I please; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bondage for their double transgression.

Ephraim is a well-trained heifer that loves to thresh; but I will place a yoke on her fair neck. I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow, and Jacob will break the hard ground.

Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.

You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men,