[1] Hear this word which I take up over you in lamentation, O house of
Israel: [2] "Fallen, no more to rise, is the virgin Israel; forsaken on her
land, with none to raise her up." [3] For thus says the Lord GOD: "The city
that went forth a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went
forth a hundred shall have ten left to the house of Israel." [4] For thus
says the LORD to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live; [5] but do not
seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal or cross over to Beer-sheba; for
Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nought." [6]
Seek the LORD and live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph,
and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel, [7] O you who turn
justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth! [8] He who
made the Plei'ades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and
darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours
them out upon the surface of the earth, the LORD is his name, [9] who makes
destruction flash forth against the strong, so that destruction comes upon
the fortress. [10] They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor
him who speaks the truth. [11] Therefore because you trample upon the poor
and take from him exactions of wheat, you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but
you shall not drink their wine. [12] For I know how many are your
transgressions, and how great are your sins--you who afflict the righteous,
who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate. [13] Therefore he
who is prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time.
[14] Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God
of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. [15] Hate evil, and love
good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God
of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. [16] Therefore thus
says the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord: "In all the squares there shall
be wailing; and in all the streets they shall say, 'Alas! alas!' They shall
call the farmers to mourning and to wailing those who are skilled in
lamentation, [17] and in all vineyards there shall be wailing, for I will
pass through the midst of you," says the LORD. [18] Woe to you who desire
the day of the LORD! Why would you have the day of the LORD? It is
darkness, and not light; [19] as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met
him; or went into the house and leaned with his hand against the wall, and
a serpent bit him. [20] Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it? [21] "I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. [22] Even though you offer
me your burnt offerings and cereal offerings, I will not accept them, and
the peace offerings of your fatted beasts I will not look upon. [23] Take
away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will
not listen. [24] But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness
like an ever-flowing stream. [25] "Did you bring to me sacrifices and
offerings the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? [26] You
shall take up Sakkuth your king, and Kaiwan your star-god, your images,
which you made for yourselves; [27] therefore I will take you into exile
beyond Damascus," says the LORD, whose name is the God of hosts.
