Then the wordof the LORDcameto me, saying,
Righteousnessexaltsa nation,But sinis a disgraceto [any] people.
Howthe faithfulcityhas becomea harlot,She [who] was fullof justice!Righteousnessonce lodgedin her, But nowmurderers.
"Howcan you say,'I am not defiled,I have not goneafterthe Baals?Lookat your wayin the valley!Knowwhatyou have done!You are a swiftyoungcamelentanglingher ways,
Whydo you cryout overyour injury?Your painis incurable.Becauseyour iniquityis great[And] your sinsare numerous,I have donethesethingsto you.
Thus I will makethe landdesolate,becausethey have actedunfaithfully,'" declaresthe LordGOD.
"Sonof man,makeknownto Jerusalemher abominations
Then He saidto me, "Sonof man,I am sendingyou to the sonsof Israel,to a rebelliouspeoplewhohave rebelledagainst Me; they and their fathershave transgressedagainst Me to thisveryday.
"And you, sonof man,will you judge,will you judgethe bloodycity?Then cause her to knowallher abominations.
the Babyloniansand allthe Chaldeans,Pekodand Shoaand Koa,[and] allthe Assyrianswith them; desirableyoungmen,governorsand officialsallof them, officersand menof renown,allof them ridingon horses.
When the LORDfirstspokethrough Hosea,the LORDsaidto Hosea,"Go,taketo yourself a wifeof harlotryand [have] childrenof harlotry;for the landcommitsflagrantharlotry,forsakingthe LORD."
My peopleconsulttheir woodenidol, and their [diviner's] wandinformsthem; For a spiritof harlotryhas led[them] astray,And they have playedthe harlot,[departing] from their God.
Thussaysthe LORD,"For threetransgressionsof Judahand for fourI will not revokeits [punishment], Becausethey rejectedthe lawof the LORDAnd have not keptHis statutes;Their liesalso have ledthem astray,Those afterwhichtheir fatherswalked.
(and behold,a leadcoverwas liftedup); and thisis a womansittinginsidethe ephah."
