Study Desk

Hear the word of Yahweh, O children of Israel, for Yahweh has an indictment against the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or loyalty, there is no knowledge of God in the land.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from acting as a priest for me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

My people, consult their wooden idols, and their divining rod gives them oracles; because a spirit of whoredom led them astray, and they played the whore from under their God.

Their deeds do not permit them to return them to God. Because a spirit of whoredom is in their midst, they do not know Yahweh.

Because I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

The pride of Israel testifies against him— they do not return to Yahweh their God; they do not seek him for all of this.

They cry out to me, "My God! We, Israel, know you!"

Because it is from Israel, an artisan made it, it is not a god; for the calf of Samaria will be broken to pieces.

Do not rejoice, O Israel, do not exult like the nations! For you played the whore, departing from your God; you loved a harlot's wage on all the threshing floors of grain.

The prophet keeps watch over Ephraim for my God; the snare of a fowler is on all his ways, and hostility in the house of his God.

My God will reject them because they did not listen to him, and they will be wanderers among the nations.

I will not execute my fierce anger, I will not again destroy Ephraim; because I am God and not a mortal, the Holy One in your midst; and I will not come in wrath.

Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; and Judah is still wandering with God and is faithful to the Holy One.

In the womb he deceived his brother, and in his manhood he struggled with God.

Yahweh the God of hosts, Yahweh is his renowned name!

But you, you must return to your God; keep love and justice, and wait continually for your God.

But I am Yahweh your God since the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, like the days of the appointed festival.

I am Yahweh your God since the land of Egypt; you know no god except me, and no one saves besides me.

Samaria will be guilty, because she has rebelled against her God; they will fall by the sword, their children will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women will be ripped open.

Return to Yahweh your God, O Israel, for you have stumbled because of your sin.