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. 4Their 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; Judah shall also fall with them. 6When they shall go with their flocks and their herds to seek the LORD; and offer sacrifices to Him, they shall not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. 7They have dealt treacherously with the LORD; for they have borne children that are not Mine; now their false religion shall devour them and the land of their heritage.

8“Blow the horn in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah; cry aloud at Beth-aven, lead on, 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. 10The leaders of Judah were like those who remove boundary marks; therefore, I will pour out My wrath upon them like a flood of water.

11“Ephraim is oppressed and crushed by My judgment, they remain intent to pursue idols.

12“Therefore I will be like a moth to Ephraim, and like rottenness to Judah. 13When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and sent to King Jareb; but he could not help him, nor cure his wound. 14For 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.

15“Then I will return to My lair, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face. In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”