Is there iniquity[in] Gilead?Surelythey are worthless.In Gilgalthey sacrificebulls,Yes,their altarsare like the stoneheapsBesidethe furrowsof the field.
Now Elijahthe Tishbite,who was of the settlersof Gilead,saidto Ahab,"As the LORD,the Godof Israellives,beforewhomI stand,surelythere shall be neitherdewnor raintheseyears,exceptby my word."
Yet the LORDwarnedIsraeland JudahthroughallHis prophets[and] everyseer,saying,"Turnfrom your evilwaysand keepMy commandments,My statutesaccording to allthe lawwhichI commandedyour fathers,and whichI sentto you throughMy servantsthe prophets."
They are worthless,a workof mockery;In the timeof their punishmentthey will perish.
But they are altogetherstupidand foolish[In their] disciplineof delusion--their idol is wood!
"For longagoI brokeyour yoke[And] toreoffyour bonds;But you said,'I will not serve!'For on everyhighhillAnd undereverygreentreeYou have laindownas a harlot.
"But whereare your godsWhichyou madefor yourself? Let them arise,ifthey can saveyou In the timeof your trouble;For [according to] the numberof your citiesAre your gods,O Judah.
"Sonof man,propounda riddleand speaka parableto the houseof Israel,
Israelis a luxuriantvine;He producesfruitfor himself. The morehis fruit,The morealtarshe made;The richerhis land,The betterhe madethe [sacred] pillars.
Their heartis faithless;Nowthey must beartheir guilt.The LORD will breakdowntheir altars[And] destroytheir [sacred] pillars.
Thoughyou, Israel,playthe harlot,Do not let Judahbecomeguilty;Also do not goto Gilgal,Or goup to Beth-avenAnd takethe oath:"As the LORDlives!"
Gileadis a cityof wrongdoers,Trackedwith bloody[footprints].
SinceEphraimhas multipliedaltarsfor sin,They have becomealtarsof sinningfor him.
Alltheir evilis at Gilgal;Indeed,I came to hatethem there!Becauseof the wickednessof their deedsI will drivethem out of My house!I will lovethem nomore;Alltheir princesare rebels.
"EnterBetheland transgress;In Gilgalmultiplytransgression!Bringyour sacrificesevery morning,Your tithesevery threedays.
"But do not resortto BethelAnd do not cometo Gilgal,Norcrossoverto Beersheba;For Gilgalwill certainlygointo captivityAnd Bethelwill cometo trouble.
"Those who regardvainidolsForsaketheir faithfulness,
He said,"HearnowMy words:Ifthere is a prophetamong you, I, the LORD,shall makeMyself knownto him in a vision.I shall speakwith him in a dream.
