1O ye priests: hear this, take heed, O thou household of Israel: give ear, O thou kingly house: for this punishment will come upon you, that are become a snare unto Mizphah, and a spread net unto the mount of Thabor.
2They kill sacrifices by heaps, to beguile the people therewith: therefore will I punish them all.
3I know Ephraim well enough, and Israell is not hid from me: for Ephraim is become an harlot: and Israel is defiled.
4They are not minded to turn unto their God, for they have an whorish heart, so that they can not know the LORD.
5But the pride of Israel will be rewarded him in his face, yea both Israel and Ephraim shall fall for their wickedness, and Judah with them also.
6They shall come with their sheep and bullocks to seek the LORD, but they shall not find him, for he is gone from them.
7As for the LORD, they have refused him, and brought up bastard children: a month therefore shall devour them with their portions.
8Blow with the shawmes at Gabea, and with the trumpet in Ramah, cry out at Bethaven upon the yon-side of BenJamin.
9In that time of the plague shall Ephraim be laid waste, therefore did I faithfully warn the tribes of Israel.
10Yet are the princes of Juda become like them, that remove the landmarks, therefore will I pour out my wrath upon them like water.
11Ephraim is oppressed, and can have no right of the law: for why? they follow the doctrines of men.
12Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Juda as a caterpillar.
13When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his disease: Ephraim went unto Assur, and sent unto king Jareb: yet could not he help you, nor ease you of your pain.
14I am unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a lion's whelp to the house of Judah. Even I, I will spoil them, and go my way. I will take them with me, and no man shall rescue them.
15I will go, and return to my place, till they wax faint, and seek me.