Study Desk

My people consult their wooden idols,and their divining rods inform them.For a spirit of promiscuity leads them astray;they act promiscuouslyin disobedience to their God.

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

For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice,the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Israel’s arrogance testifies against them,yet they do not return to the Lord their God,and for all this, they do not seek him.

Israel cries out to me,“My God, we know you!”

Ephraim’s watchman is with my God.Yet the prophet encounters a bird trapon all his pathways.Hostility is in the house of his God!

My God will reject thembecause they have not listened to him;they will become wanderers among the nations.

I will not vent the full fury of my anger;I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim.For I am God and not man,the Holy One among you;I will not come in rage.

In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel,and as an adult he wrestled with God.

The Lord is the God of Armies;the Lord is his name.

But you must return to your God.Maintain love and justice,and always put your hope in God.

I have been the Lord your Godever since the land of Egypt;you know no God but me,and no Savior exists besides me.

Israel, return to the Lord your God,

Dress in sackcloth and lament, you priests;wail, you ministers of the altar.Come and spend the night in sackcloth,you ministers of my God,because grain and drink offeringsare withheld from the house of your God.

Announce a sacred fast;proclaim an assembly!Gather the eldersand all the residents of the landat the house of the Lord your God,and cry out to the Lord.

Hasn’t the food been cut offbefore our eyes,joy and gladnessfrom the house of our God?

Who knows? He may turn and relentand leave a blessing behind him,so you can offer grain and wineto the Lord your God.

Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,weep between the portico and the altar.Let them say:“Have pity on your people, Lord,and do not make your inheritance a disgrace,an object of scorn among the nations.Why should it be said among the peoples,‘Where is their God?’”

Children of Zion, rejoice and be gladin the Lord your God,because he gives you the autumn rainfor your vindication.He sends showers for you,both autumn and spring rain as before.

You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied.You will praise the name of the Lord your God,who has dealt wondrously with you.My people will never again be put to shame.