1
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“Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O royal house! For this judgment is against you because you have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor. |
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2
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The rebels are deep in slaughter; but I will chastise them all. |
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3
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I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled. |
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4
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Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD. |
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5
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Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; even Judah stumbles with them. |
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6
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They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. |
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7
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They have been unfaithful to the LORD; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the New Moon will devour them along with their land. |
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8
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Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry in Beth-aven: Lead on, O Benjamin! |
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9
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Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of rebuke. Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain. |
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10
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The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones; I will pour out My fury upon them like water. |
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11
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Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, for he is determined to follow worthless idols. |
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12
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So I am like a moth to Ephraim, and like decay to the house of Judah. |
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13
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When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound. |
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14
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For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them. |
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15
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Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” |
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