1“Hear this, O you priests; and pay attention, O royal house of Israel! For this judgment is against you, because you have led the people into a snare (by worshipping idols) on Mizpah (east of the Jordan), and spread a net upon Tabor (west of the Jordan). 2And the rebels have gone knee-deep into slaughter, though I have rebuked them all. 3I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; Ephraim, you are committing harlotry, and Israel is defiled.”

4“Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God; for they are in the grip of the spirit of harlotry, and they do not know the LORD. 5And the arrogance and pride of Israel testifies against them; therefore, Israel and Ephraim shall fall in their sin; and Judah shall also fall with them. 6When they shall go with their flocks and their herds to seek the LORD; and offer them as sacrifices to Him, they shall not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. 7They have been unfaithful to the LORD; for they have borne illegitimate children - children that are not His; and their false religion shall devour them with the land of their heritage. 8“Sound the alarm in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry at Beth-aven, lead on into battle, Benjamin! 9Ephraim shall be laid waste and desolate in the day of reckoning; among the tribes of Israel, I have made known what shall surely be.”

10“The leaders of Judah were like those who remove boundary markers; therefore, I will pour My wrath upon them like a flood of water. 11Ephraim is oppressed and crushed by My judgment, because they remain intent to pursue idols. 12Therefore I will be like a moth to Ephraim, and like rottenness to Judah.”

13“When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and sent to King Jareb for help; but he could not help him, nor cure his wound.”

14“For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah: I will tear them apart and drag them away; and none shall rescue them. 15Then I will return to My lair, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face. In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”