Online Bible: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

1 “Hear this, O priests, and pay attention, O house of Israel, and YOU, O house of the king, give ear, for with YOU people the judgment has to do; because a trap is what YOU have become to Miz´pah and as a net spread over Ta´bor. 2 And in slaughter work those falling away have gone deep down, and I was an exhortation to all of them. 3 I personally have known E´phra·im, and Israel itself has not been hidden from me. For now, O E´phra·im, you have treated [women] like harlots; Israel has defiled itself. 4 Their dealings do not permit of a returning to their God, because there is a spirit of fornication in the midst of them; and Jehovah himself they have not acknowledged. 5 And the pride of Israel has testified to his face; and Israel and E´phra·im themselves are made to stumble in their error. Judah has also stumbled with them. 6 With their flock and with their herd they proceeded to go and look for Jehovah, but they could not find [him]. He had drawn away from them. 7 With Jehovah himself they have dealt treacherously, for it is to strange sons that they have become father. Now a month will devour them with their portions.

8 “BLOW a horn in Gib´e·ah, a trumpet in Ra´mah! SHOUT a war cry at Beth-a´ven—after you, O Benjamin! 9 O E´phra·im, a mere object of astonishment you will become in the day of rebuke. Among the tribes of Israel I have made known trustworthy words. 10 The princes of Judah have become just like those moving back a boundary. Upon them I shall pour out my fury just like water. 11 E´phra·im is oppressed, crushed in justice, for he had taken it upon himself to walk after his adversary. 12 And I was like the moth to E´phra·im and just like rottenness to the house of Judah.

13 “And E´phra·im got to see his sickness, and Judah his ulcer. And E´phra·im proceeded to go to As·syr´i·a and send to a great king. But that one himself was unable to give healing to YOU people, and he could not take from YOU an ulcer with any cure. 14 For I shall be like a young lion to E´phra·im and like a maned young lion to the house of Judah. I, I myself shall tear to pieces and I shall go [and] carry off, and there will be no deliverer. 15 I shall go, I will return to my place until they bear their guilt; and they will certainly seek my face. When they are in sore straits, they will seek me.”