3. For thus says the Lord Godto the house of Israel:The city that marched out with a thousandshall be left with a hundred,Another that marched out with a hundredshall be left with ten.
4. For thus says the Lordto the house of Israel:Seek me, that you may live,
5. but do not seek Bethel;Do not come to Gilgal,and do not cross over to Beer-sheba;For Gilgal shall be led into exileand Bethel shall be no more.
6. Seek the Lord, that you may live,lest he flare up against the house of Joseph like a firethat shall consume the house of Israel, with no one to quench it.
8. The one who made the Pleiades and Orion,who turns darkness into dawn,and darkens day into night;Who summons the waters of the sea,and pours them out on the surface of the earth;
9. Who makes destruction fall suddenly upon the strongholdand brings ruin upon the fortress,the Lord is his name.
7. Woe to those who turn justice into wormwoodand cast righteousness to the ground,
10. They hate those who reprove at the gateand abhor those who speak with integrity;
11. Therefore, because you tax the destituteand exact from them levies of grain,Though you have built houses of hewn stone,you shall not live in them;Though you have planted choice vineyards,you shall not drink their wine.
12. Yes, I know how many are your crimes,how grievous your sins:Oppressing the just, accepting bribes,turning away the needy at the gate.
13. (Therefore at this time the wise are struck dumbfor it is an evil time.)