Study Desk

My people consult their piece of wood, their diviner's wand speaks to them; for the spirit of whoring makes them err, they go off whoring, deserting their God.

For Isra'el is stubborn as a stubborn cow; will Adonai now feed them like a lamb in a big pasture?

"Hear this, cohanim! Pay attention, house of Isra'el! Listen, house of the king! For judgment is coming to you. You have become a snare for Mitzpah and a net spread on Tavor.

"I know Efrayim; Isra'el is not hidden from me; for now, Efrayim, you are a whore; Isra'el is defiled."

Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God, for the spirit of whoring is in them, and they don't know Adonai .

Efrayim will be laid waste when the day for punishment comes; I am announcing to the tribes of Isra'el what will surely happen.

For to Efrayim I will be like a lion, and like a young lion to the house of Y'hudah — I will tear them up and go away; I will carry them off, and no one will rescue.

I will go and return to my place, till they admit their guilt and search for me, seeking me eagerly in their distress."

Come, let us return to Adonai ; for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck, and he will bind our wounds.

"Efrayim, what should I do to you? Y'hudah, what should I do to you? For your ‘faithful love' is like a morning cloud, like dew that disappears quickly.

For what I desire is mercy, not sacrifices, knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

For you, too, Y'hudah, a harvest will come! "When I restore the fortunes of my people,

when I am ready to heal Isra'el, the crimes of Efrayim confront me, along with the wickedness of Shomron. For they keep practicing deceit; thieves break in, bands of robbers raid outside.

who ready themselves like an oven while they wait for their chance. Their baker sleeps through the night; then in the morning it bursts into flame.

Efrayim behaves like a silly, foolish dove — going to Egypt, then to Ashur for help.

Woe to them! for they have strayed from me. Destruction to them! for they have wronged me. Am I supposed to redeem them, when they have spoken lies against me?

They have not cried out to me from their hearts, even though they wail on their beds. They assemble themselves for grain and wine, yet turn away from me.

For they sow the wind, so they will reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no ears, so it will yield no flour; and if it does yield any, foreigners will swallow it up.

For they have gone up to Ashur; like a wild donkey, alone by itself, Efrayim has bargained for lovers.

For Efrayim keeps building altars for sin; yes, altars are sinful for him.