1Hear this, O priests, and give heed, O house of Israel; and give heed, O house of the king, for justice belongs to you, because you have become a snare at Mizpah and a net spread out over Tabor.2They have deepened slaughtering rebellion, and I will discipline all of them.3I have known Ephraim, and Israel has not been hidden from me, for now you have played the harlot, Ephraim; Israel has become defiled.4Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of fornication is within them, and they have not known the LORD.5The pride of Israel testifies against him, and Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah has also stumbled with them.6With their flocks and with their herds they go to seek the LORD, but they do not find him; he has withdrawn from them.7They have acted treacherously against the LORD, for they have begotten strange children; now the new moon will devour them along with their portions.8Sound the trumpet in Gibeah; sound the horn in Ramah; raise the alarm at Beth-aven: after you, O Benjamin.9Ephraim shall become a horror on the day of rebuke; among the tribes of Israel I have made known what is faithful.10The rulers of Judah have become like those who move a boundary; therefore I will pour out my fury upon them like water.11Ephraim is oppressed and justice is crushed, because he was willing to walk after the command.12So I am like a moth to Ephraim and like decay to the house of Judah.13When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to the great king; yet he is not able to heal you or to cure your wound from you.14For I myself am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah; I, even I, will tear and go away; I will carry off, and none shall rescue.15I will go and return to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face; in their distress they will seek me earnestly.