I will not show my love to her children, because they are the children of adultery.

The Charge Against Israel

Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.

There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.

“But let no one bring a charge, let no one accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.

The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful.

They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

“I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes— a people without understanding will come to ruin!

“Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty. “Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. And do not swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives!’

Judgment Against Israel

“Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, you Israelites! Listen, royal house! This judgment is against you: You have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor.

Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin; Judah also stumbles with them.

Israel’s arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this he does not return to the Lord his God or search for him.

Woe to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.

I trained them and strengthened their arms, but they plot evil against me.

Israel to Reap the Whirlwind

“Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the Lord because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law.

Samaria, throw out your calf-idol! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?

When I please, I will punish them; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bonds for their double sin.

the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be devastated— as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children.

I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man— the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.

Israel’s Sin

Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One.

The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.

The Lord’s Anger Against Israel

When Ephraim spoke, people trembled; he was exalted in Israel. But he became guilty of Baal worship and died.

“You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your helper.

The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open.”