Study Desk

Israel has forgotten his maker and built palaces, and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; but I will send fire on his cities and it will devour her strongholds.

The prophet keeps watch over Ephraim for my God; the snare of a fowler is on all his ways, and hostility in the house of his God.

Ephraim, as I see it, is like a palm in a meadow; but Ephraim must bring out his children to the slayer.

Israel is a luxuriant vine; he yields fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he made numerous altars. The more his land prospered, the more he improved his stone pillars.

The inhabitants of Samaria tremble for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, his people will mourn for it, and his idolatrous priests will wail over it— over its glory because it has departed from it.

It will also be brought to Assyria, as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will obtain disgrace and Israel will be ashamed from his advice.

He will return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria will be his king, because they refused to return.

The sword rages in his cities; it consumes his false prophets and devours because of their plans.

They will go after Yahweh; he roars like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the sea.

Yahweh has a quarrel with Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.

In the womb he deceived his brother, and in his manhood he struggled with God.

He struggled with the angel and prevailed; he pleaded for his mercy. He met him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him.

Yahweh the God of hosts, Yahweh is his renowned name!

The trader, in his hand are scales of deceit; he loves to oppress.

Ephraim has caused bitter provocation, and his Lord will hold him responsible for his crimes and pay back to him his insults.

The sin of Ephraim is wrapped up; his sin is concealed.

Although he may flourish among reeds, the east wind will come, a wind of Yahweh rising from the desert; his fountain will dry up, his spring will be parched. It will plunder his treasury, every object of desire.

I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily plant, and he will strike his roots like the trees of Lebanon.

His new plant shoots will spread out; his splendor will be like the olive tree, and his scent like the trees of Lebanon.

They will again dwell in my shadow; they will grow grain and they will blossom like the plant vine; his fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.