1 Hear these things, ye priests ; and attend, O house of Israel ; and hearken, O house of the king ; for the controversy is with you, because ye have been a snare in Scopia, and as a net spread on Itabyrium,
2 which they that hunt the prey have fixed : but I will correct you.
3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not far from me : for now Ephraim has gone grievously a-whoring, Israel is defiled.
4 They have not framed their counsels to return to their God, for the spirit of fornication is in them, and they have not known the Lord.
5 And the pride of Israel shall be brought low before his face ; and Israel and Ephraim shall fall in their iniquities ; and Judas also shall fall with them.
6 They shall go with sheep and calves diligently to seek the Lord ; but they shall not find him, for he has withdrawn himself from them.
7 For they have forsaken the Lord ; for strange children have been born to them : now shall the cankerworm devour them and their heritages.
8 Blow ye the trumpet on the hills, sound aloud on the heights : proclaim in the house of On, Benjamin is amazed.
9 Ephraim has come to nought in the days of reproof : in the tribes of Israel I have shown faithful dealings.
10 The princes of Juda became as they that removed the bounds : I will pour out upon them my fury as water.
11 Ephraim altogether prevailed against his adversary, he trod judgment under foot, for he began to go after vanities.
12 Therefore I will be as consternation to Ephraim, and as a goad to the house of Juda.
13 And Ephraim saw his disease, and Judas his pain ; then Ephraim went to the Assyrians, and sent ambassadors to king Jarim : but he could not heal you, and your pain shall in nowise cease from you.
14 Wherefore I am as a panther to Ephraim, and as a lion to the house of Juda : and I will tear, and go away ; and I will take, and there shall be none to deliver.
15 I will go and return to my place, until they are brought to nought, and then shall they seek my face. In their affliction they will seek me early, saying,