⁴ “Their deeds do not permit them
    to return^(A) to their God.
A spirit of prostitution^(B) is in their heart;
    they do not acknowledge^(C) the Lord.
⁵ Israel’s arrogance testifies^(D) against them;
    the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble^(E) in their sin;
    Judah also stumbles with them.^(F)
6 When they go with their flocks and herds
    to seek the Lord,^(G)
they will not find him;
    he has withdrawn^(H) himself from them.
⁷ They are unfaithful^(I) to the Lord;
    they give birth to illegitimate^(J) children.
When they celebrate their New Moon feasts,^(K)
    he will devour^[a](L) their fields.

⁸ “Sound the trumpet^(M) in Gibeah,^(N)
    the horn in Ramah.^(O)
Raise the battle cry in Beth Aven^[b];^(P)
    lead on, Benjamin.
⁹ Ephraim will be laid waste^(Q)
    on the day of reckoning.^(R)
Among the tribes of Israel
    I proclaim what is certain.^(S)
10 Judah’s leaders are like those
    who move boundary stones.^(T)
I will pour out my wrath^(U) on them
    like a flood of water.
¹¹ Ephraim is oppressed,
    trampled in judgment,
    intent on pursuing idols.^[c](V)
12 I am like a moth^(W) to Ephraim,
    like rot^(X) to the people of Judah.

¹³ “When Ephraim^(Y) saw his sickness,
    and Judah his sores,
then Ephraim turned to Assyria,^(Z)
    and sent to the great king for help.^(AA)
But he is not able to cure^(AB) you,
    not able to heal your sores.^(AC)
14 For I will be like a lion^(AD) to Ephraim,
    like a great lion to Judah.
I will tear them to pieces^(AE) and go away;
    I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them.^(AF)
15 Then I will return to my lair^(AG)
    until they have borne their guilt^(AH)
    and seek my face^(AI)—
in their misery^(AJ)
    they will earnestly seek me.^(AK)”