1“Listen to this, priests! Listen, people of Israel, and pay attention, royal family! Judgment is against you, because you have been a trap at Mizpah and a net spread out on Tabor.
2The rebels are deep in murder; but I will discipline all of them.
3I know Ephraim, and Israel cannot hide from me. For now, Ephraim, you have acted like a prostitute. Israel is impure.
4Their actions prevent them from turning to their God, because the spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know Yahweh.
5Israel’s pride testifies against him. Therefore, Israel and Ephraim will stumble because of their sin. Judah will also stumble with them.
6They will go with their flocks and herds to seek Yahweh, but they won’t find him. He has withdrawn himself from them.
7They are unfaithful to Yahweh; for they have had illegitimate children. Now the new moon will consume them and their fields.
8“Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah and the trumpet in Ramah! Sound a battle cry at Beth Aven, behind you, Benjamin!
9Ephraim will become a wasteland on the day of punishment. Among the tribes of Israel, I have made known what will certainly happen.
10The leaders of Judah are like those who move property boundary markers. I will pour out my anger on them like water.
11Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, because he is determined to chase after idols.
12Therefore, I will be like a moth to Ephraim and like rot to the house of Judah.
13“When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, Ephraim went to Assyria and sent a message to King Jareb. But he is not able to heal you, nor will he cure you of your wound.
14For I will be like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear them to pieces and go away. I will carry them off, and no one will be able to rescue them.
15I will go back to my place until they admit their offense and seek my presence. In their distress, they will earnestly search for me.”