Study Desk

And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, And reward them for their deeds.

For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying the LORD.

My people ask counsel from their wooden idols, And their staff informs them. For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray, And they have played the harlot against their God.

"I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry,Nor your brides when they commit adultery;For the men themselves go apart with harlots,And offer sacrifices with a ritual harlot. Deuteronomy 23:18 ">[fn] Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled.

"For Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn calf; Now the LORD will let them forage Like a lamb in open country.

"Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For yours is the judgment, Because you have been a snare to Mizpah And a net spread on Tabor.

I know Ephraim, And Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is defiled.

"They do not direct their deeds Toward turning to their God, For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, And they do not know the LORD.

They have dealt treacherously with the LORD, For they have begotten pagan children. Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage.

For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue.

Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

"O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away.

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

As bands of robbers lie in wait for a man, So the company of priests murder on the way to Shechem; Surely they commit lewdness.

Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, When I return the captives of My people.

"When I would have healed Israel, Then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered, And the wickedness of Samaria. For they have committed fraud; A thief comes in; A band of robbers takes spoil outside.

And the pride of Israel testifies to his face, But they do not return to the LORD their God, Nor seek Him for all this.

"Woe to them, for they have fled from Me! Destruction to them, Because they have transgressed against Me! Though I redeemed them, Yet they have spoken lies against Me.

They did not cry out to Me with their heartWhen they wailed upon their beds."They assemble together for 1 Kings 18:28).">[fn] grain and new wine,They rebel against Me; [fn]

"They set up kings, but not by Me; They made princes, but I did not acknowledge them. From their silver and gold They made idols for themselves-- That they might be cut off.