Study Desk

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

The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him, for all this.

To me they cry, "My God, we—Israel—know you."

For it is from Israel; a craftsman made it; it is not God. The calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.

Rejoice not, O Israel! Exult not like the peoples; for you have played the whore, forsaking your God. You have loved a prostitute's wages on all threshing floors.

The prophet is the watchman of Ephraim with my God; yet a fowler's snare is on all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.

My God will reject them because they have not listened to him; they shall be wanderers among the nations.

I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, 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, but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.

In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.

He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He met God at Bethel, and there God spoke with us—

the Lord , the God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial name:

"So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God."

I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.

But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.

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

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy."

Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Go in, pass the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! Because grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God.

Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord .