Israel is swallowed up; Now they are among the Gentiles Like a vessel in which is no pleasure.

“For Israel has forgotten his Maker, And has built temples; Judah also has multiplied fortified cities; But I will send fire upon his cities, And it shall devour his palaces.”

Judgment of Israel’s Sin

Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other peoples, For you have played the harlot against your God. You have made love for hire on every threshing floor.

The days of punishment have come; The days of recompense have come. Israel knows! The prophet is a fool, The spiritual man is insane, Because of the greatness of your iniquity and great enmity.

“I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.

Israel’s Sin and Captivity

Israel empties his vine; He brings forth fruit for himself. According to the multitude of his fruit He has increased the altars; According to the bounty of his land They have embellished his sacred pillars.

The idol also shall be carried to Assyria As a present for King Jareb. Ephraim shall receive shame, And Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, Shall be destroyed. The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!” And to the hills, “Fall on us!”

“O Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah; There they stood. The battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity Did not overtake them.

Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel, Because of your great wickedness. At dawn the king of Israel Shall be cut off utterly.

God’s Continuing Love for Israel

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred.

God’s Charge Against Ephraim

“Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, And the house of Israel with deceit; But Judah still walks with God, Even with the Holy One who is faithful.

Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended sheep.

By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, And by a prophet he was preserved.

Relentless Judgment on Israel

When Ephraim spoke, trembling, He exalted himself in Israel; But when he offended through Baal worship, he died.

“O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help is from Me.

Israel Restored at Last

O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;

I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.