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The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful.
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They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness.
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Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin; Judah also stumbles with them.
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whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets;
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but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me.
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“Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning.
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Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me, and though they eat the meat, the Lord is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.
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The days of punishment are coming, the days of reckoning are at hand. Let Israel know this. Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac.
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They have sunk deep into corruption, as in the days of Gibeah. God will remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.
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“Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, I hated them there. Because of their sinful deeds, I will drive them out of my house. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious.
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The high places of wickedness will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel. Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
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“Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, Israel, and there you have remained. Will not war again overtake the evildoers in Gibeah?
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When I please, I will punish them; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bonds for their double sin.
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Israel’s Sin
Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One.
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Ephraim boasts, “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.”
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“I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed festivals.
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Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of these people, “They offer human sacrifices! They kiss calf-idols!”
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“But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me.
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The guilt of Ephraim is stored up, his sins are kept on record.
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Repentance to Bring Blessing
Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!
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Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
