[1] Give ear to the word of the Lord, O children of Israel; for the Lord
has a cause against the people of this land, because there is no good faith
in it, and no mercy and no knowledge of God in the land. [2] There is
cursing and broken faith, violent death and attacks on property, men are
untrue in married life, houses are broken into, and there is blood touching
blood. [3] Because of this the land will be dry, and everyone living in it
will be wasted away, with the beasts of the field and the birds of heaven;
even the fishes of the sea will be taken away. [4] Let no man go to law or
make protests, for your people are like those who go to law with a priest.
[5] You will not be able to keep on your feet by day, and by night the
prophet will be falling down with you, and I will give your mother to
destruction. [6] Destruction has overtaken my people because they have no
knowledge; because you have given up knowledge, I will give you up, so that
you will be no priest to me, because you have not kept in mind the law of
your God, I will not keep your children in my memory. [7] Even while they
were increasing in number they were sinning against me; I will let their
glory be changed into shame. [8] The sin of my people is like food to them;
and their desire is for their wrongdoing. [9] And the priest will be like
the people; I will give them punishment for their evil ways, and the reward
of their acts. [10] They will have food, but they will not be full; they
will be false to me, but they will not be increased, because they no longer
give thought to the Lord. [11] Loose ways and new wine take away wisdom.
[12] My people get knowledge from their tree, and their rod gives them
news; for a false spirit is the cause of their wandering, and they have
been false to their God. [13] They make offerings on the tops of mountains,
burning perfumes in high places, under trees of every sort, because their
shade is good: and so your daughters are given up to loose ways and your
brides are false to their husbands. [14] I will not give punishment to your
daughters or your brides for their evil behaviour; for they make themselves
separate with loose women, and make offerings with those who are used for
sex purposes in the worship of the gods: the people who have no wisdom will
be sent away. [15] Do not you, O Israel, come into error; do not you, O
Judah, come to Gilgal, or go up to Beth-aven, or take an oath, By the
living Lord. [16] For Israel is uncontrolled, like a cow which may not be
controlled; now will the Lord give them food like a lamb in a wide place.
[17] Ephraim is joined to false gods; let him be. [18] Their drink has
become bitter; they are completely false; her rulers take pleasure in
shame. [19] They are folded in the skirts of the wind; they will be shamed
because of their offerings.
