Study Desk

There is oath-taking, denial, murder, stealing, and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.

So you will stumble by day, And the prophet also will stumble with you by night; And I will destroy your mother.

And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds.

I will not punish your daughters when they play the prostitute, Or your brides when they commit adultery, Because the men themselves slip away with the prostitutes And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes; So the people without understanding are ruined.

"So let's learn, let's press on to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, As the spring rain waters the earth."

And as a band of robbers lie in wait for a person, So a band of priests murder on the way to Shechem; Certainly they have committed an act of infamy.

So Ephraim has become like a gullible dove, without sense; They call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

They have set up kings, but not by Me; They have appointed officials, but I did not know it. With their silver and gold they have made idols for themselves, So that they will be eliminated.

For from Israel comes even this! A craftsman made it, so it is not God; Assuredly, the calf of Samaria will be broken to pieces.

The days of punishment have come, The days of retribution have come; Let Israel know this! The prophet is a fool, The inspired person is insane, Because of the grossness of your wrongdoing, And because your hostility is so great.

So it will be done to you at Bethel because of your great wickedness. At dawn the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.

So My people are determined to turn from Me. Though they call them to the One on high, None at all exalts Him.

So as for you, return to your God, Maintain kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.

Ephraim has provoked God to bitter anger; So his Lord will leave his guilt for bloodshed on him And bring his disgrace back to him.

So I will be like a lion to them; Like a leopard I will lie in wait by the wayside.

Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all guilt And receive us graciously, So that we may present the fruit of our lips.

A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As dawn is spread over the mountains, So there is a great and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, Nor will there be again after it To the years of many generations.

Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run.

So shout for joy, you sons of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has brought down for you the rain, The early and latter rain as before.

"So you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, And that I am the LORD your God And there is no other; And My people will never be put to shame.