Study Desk

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

Israel's arrogance testifies against them, yet they do not return to the LORD their God; despite all this, they do not seek Him.

Israel cries out to Me, "O our God, we know You!"

For this thing is from Israel-a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.

Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations, for you have played the harlot against your God; you have made love for hire on every threshing floor.

The prophet is Ephraim's watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God!

My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

I will not execute 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-and I will not come in wrath.

Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.

In the womb he grasped his brother's heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God.

the LORD is the God of Hosts-the LORD is His name of renown.

But you must return to your God, maintaining love and justice, and always waiting on your God.

But I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt. I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.

Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me.

Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity.

Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, because the grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.

Consecrate a fast; proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.

Has not the food been cut off before our very eyes-joy and gladness from the house of our God?

So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.