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He has withdrawn from them.

They betrayed the Lord;
indeed, they gave birth to illegitimate children.
Now the New Moon will devour them
along with their fields.

Blow the horn in Gibeah,
the trumpet in Ramah;
raise the war cry in Beth-aven:
After you, Benjamin!

Ephraim will become a desolation
on the day of punishment;
I announce what is certain
among the tribes of Israel.

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

I will depart and return to My place
until they recognize their guilt and seek My face;
they will search for Me in their distress.

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

When Ephraim saw his sickness
and Judah his wound,
Ephraim went to Assyria
and sent a delegation to the great king.
But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.

For I am like a lion to Ephraim
and like a young lion to the house of Judah.
Yes, I will tear them to pieces and depart.
I will carry them off,
and no one can rescue them.

So I am like rot to Ephraim
and like decay to the house of Judah.

Hear this, priests!
Pay attention, house of Israel!
Listen, royal house!
For the judgment applies to you
because you have been a snare at Mizpah
and a net spread out on Tabor.

Israel’s arrogance testifies against them.
Both Israel and Ephraim stumble
because of their wickedness;
even Judah will stumble with them.

Their actions do not allow them
to return to their God,
for a spirit of promiscuity is among them,
and they do not know the Lord.

I know Ephraim,
and Israel is not hidden from Me.
For now, Ephraim,
you have acted promiscuously;
Israel is defiled.

Rebels are deeply involved in slaughter;
I will be a punishment for all of them.