4. Their deeds don’t allow themto return to their God,because the spirit of prostitution is within them,and they don’t know the Lord.
5. Israel’s pride is a witness against him;both Israel and Ephraim stagger because of their guilt;Judah staggers with them.
6. With their sheep and their cattle they will goto seek the Lord,but they will not find him;he has withdrawn from them.
7. They have acted faithlessly against the Lord;for their children have produced illegitimate children.Now the new moon will devour them along with their fields.
8. Blow a horn in Gibeah;blow a trumpet in Ramah.Sound the warning at Beth-aven:"Look behind you, Benjamin!"
9. Ephraim will become a horrible placeon the Judgment Day.Against the tribes of IsraelI will certainly announce what is to take place.
10. The princes of Judah act like raiders who steal the land;I will pour out my anger like water upon them.
11. Ephraim is under pressure from its enemies;Ephraim’s rights aren’t protected.This is because Ephraim chose to pursue worthless things.
12. Therefore, I am like a moth to Ephraim,and like decay to the house of Judah.
13. When Ephraim saw his sickness,and Judah his wound,then Ephraim went to Assyria,and Ephraim sent for the great king.But he could not heal them;nor could he cure their wound.