1. Hear this word that I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel:
2. “Fallen, no more to rise,is the virgin Israel;forsaken on her land,with none to raise her up.”
3. For thus says the Lord God:“The city that went out a thousandshall have a hundred left,and that which went out a hundredshall have ten leftto the house of Israel.”
4. For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live;
5. but do not seek Bethel,and do not enter into Gilgalor cross over to Beersheba;for Gilgal shall surely go into exile,and Bethel shall come to nothing.”
6. Seek the Lord and live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph,and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel,
7. O you who turn justice to wormwoodand cast down righteousness to the earth!