Study Desk

The watchman of Ephraim is with my God;But the prophet is a fowler's [fn] snare in all his ways--Enmity in the house of his God.

My God will cast them away, Because they did not obey Him; And they shall be wanderers among the nations.

I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;I will not again destroy Ephraim.For I am God, and not man,The Holy One in your midst;And I will not come with terror. [fn]

12 "Ephraim has encircled Me with lies,And the house of Israel with deceit;But Judah still walks with God,Even with the Holy One [fn] who is faithful.

He took his brother by the heel in the womb,And in his strength he struggled with God. Genesis 32:28 ">[fn]

That is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD is His memorable name.

So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

"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, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me.

O Israel, return to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;

Gird yourselves and lament, you priests; Wail, you who minister before the altar; Come, lie all night in sackcloth, You who minister to my God; For the grain offering and the drink offering Are withheld from the house of your God.

Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.

Is not the food cut off before our eyes, Joy and gladness from the house of our God?

So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him-- A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God?

Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, "Where is their God?"'

Be glad then, you children of Zion,And rejoice in the Lord your God;For He has given you the former rain faithfully, [fn] And He will cause the rain to come down for you--The former rain,And the latter rain in the first month.

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame.

Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.

"So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, And no aliens shall ever pass through her again."