Study Desk

Afterward the children of Yisra'el shall return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and shall come with trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.

Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Yisra'el; For the LORD has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "Indeed there is no truth, Nor goodness, Nor knowledge of God in the land.

My people consult with their wooded idol, And answer to a stick of wood. Indeed the spirit of prostitution has led them astray, And they have been unfaithful to their God.

Their deeds won't allow them to turn to their God; For the spirit of prostitution is within them, And they don't know the LORD.

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

The pride of Yisra'el testifies to his face; Yet they haven't returned to the LORD their God, Nor sought him, for all this.

They cry to me, 'My God, we Yisra'el acknowledge you!'

For this is even from Yisra'el! The workman made it, and it is no God; Indeed, the calf of Shomron shall be broken in pieces.

Don't rejoice, Yisra'el, to jubilation like the nations; For you were unfaithful to your God. You love the wages of a prostitute at every grain threshing floor.

A prophet watches over Efrayim with my God. A fowler's snare is on all of his paths, And hostility in the house of his God.

My God will cast them away, because they did not listen to him; And they will be wanderers among the nations.

I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Efrayim: For I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of you; And I will not come in wrath.

Efrayim surrounds me with falsehood, And the house of Yisra'el with deceit; And Yehudah still us unruly with God, And is unfaithful to the Holy One.

In the womb he took his brother by the heel; And in his manhood he had power with God.

Even the LORD, the God Tzva'ot,; The LORD is his name of renown!

Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.

"But I am the LORD your God from the land of Mitzrayim. I will yet again make you to dwell in tents, As in the days of the solemn feast.

"Yet I am the LORD your God from the land of Mitzrayim; And you will know no god but me, And besides me there is no savior.

Shomron will bear her guilt; For she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces, And their pregnant women will be ripped open."

Yisra'el, return to the LORD your God; For you have fallen because of your sin.