1 Hear this, priests! Pay attention, house of Israel! Listen, royal house! For the judgment applies to you because you have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread out on Tabor.2 Rebels are deeply involved in slaughter; I will be a punishment for all of them. Hb obscure 3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me. For now, Ephraim, you have acted promiscuously; Israel is defiled.4 Their actions do not allow them to return to their God, for a spirit of promiscuity is among them, and they do not know the Lord .5 Israel’s arrogance testifies against them. Lit against his face Both Israel and Ephraim stumble because of their iniquity; even Judah will stumble with them.6 They go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord but do not find him; he has withdrawn from them.7 They betrayed the Lord ; indeed, they gave birth to illegitimate children. Now the New Moon will devour them along with their fields.8 Blow the horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the war cry in Beth-aven: Look behind you, Or We will follow you Benjamin!9 Ephraim will become a desolation on the day of punishment; I announce what is certain among the tribes of Israel.10 The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers; I will pour out my fury on them like water.11 Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, for he is determined to follow what is worthless. Or follow a command ; Hb obscure 12 So I am like rot to Ephraim and like decay to the house of Judah.13 When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, Ephraim went to Assyria and sent a delegation to the great king. Or to King Yareb But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.14 For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. Yes, I will tear them to pieces and depart. I will carry them off, and no one can rescue them.15 I will depart and return to my place until they recognize their guilt and seek my face; they will search for me in their distress.