Thoughyou, Israel,playthe harlot,Do not let Judahbecomeguilty;Also do not goto Gilgal,Or goup to Beth-avenAnd takethe oath:"As the LORDlives!"
but soughtthe Godof his father,followedHis commandments,and did not actas Israeldid.
Moreover,he madehighplacesin the mountainsof Judah,and caused the inhabitantsof Jerusalemto playthe harlotand ledJudahastray.
"Hearthis,O houseof Jacob,who are namedIsraelAnd who cameforthfrom the loinsof Judah,Who swearby the nameof the LORDAnd invokethe Godof Israel,[But] not in truthnorin righteousness.
"Neverthelesshearthe wordof the LORD,allJudahwho are livingin the landof Egypt,'Behold,I have swornby My greatname,'saysthe LORD,nevershall My namebe invokedagainby the mouthof anymanof Judahin allthe landof Egypt,saying,"As the LordGODlives."
"And althoughthey say,'As the LORDlives,'Surelythey swearfalsely."
"As for you, O houseof Israel,"thussaysthe LordGOD,"Go,serveeveryonehis idols;but lateryou will surelylistento Me, and My holynameyou will profanenolongerwith your giftsand with your idols.
The inhabitantsof Samariawill fearFor the calfof Beth-aven.Indeed,its peoplewill mournfor it, And its idolatrouspriestswill cryout overit, Overits glory,sinceit has departedfrom it.
Also the highplacesof Aven,the sinof Israel,will be destroyed;Thornand thistlewill growon their altars;Then they will sayto the mountains,"Coverus!" And to the hills,"Fallon us!"
EphraimsurroundsMe with liesAnd the houseof Israelwith deceit;Judahis alsounrulyagainstGod,Even againstthe HolyOnewho is faithful.
Ephraimfeedson wind,And pursuesthe eastwindcontinually;He multipliesliesand violence.Moreover, he makesa covenantwith Assyria,And oilis carriedto Egypt.
Is there iniquity[in] Gilead?Surelythey are worthless.In Gilgalthey sacrificebulls,Yes,their altarsare like the stoneheapsBesidethe furrowsof the field.
Now Jacobfledto the landof Aram,And Israelworkedfor a wife,And for a wifehe kept[sheep].
My peopleconsulttheir woodenidol, and their [diviner's] wandinformsthem; For a spiritof harlotryhas led[them] astray,And they have playedthe harlot,[departing] from their God.
Blowthe hornin Gibeah,The trumpetin Ramah.Soundan alarmat Beth-aven:"Behindyou, Benjamin!"
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.
Then one's uncle,or his undertaker,will lifthim up to carryout [his] bonesfrom the house,and he will sayto the one whois in the innermostpartof the house,"Is anyone elsewith you?" And that one will say,"Noone."Then he will answer,"Keepquiet.For the nameof the LORDis not to be mentioned."
"[As for] those who swearby the guiltof Samaria,Who say,'As your godlives,O Dan,'And, 'As the wayof Beershebalives,'They will falland not riseagain."
Do not participatein the unfruitfuldeedsof darkness,but insteadevenexposethem;
Then the LORDsaidto Joshua,"TodayI have rolledawaythe reproachof Egyptfrom you." So the nameof that placeis calledGilgalto thisday.
Now Joshuasentmenfrom Jerichoto Ai,whichis nearBeth-aven,eastof Bethel,and saidto them, "Goup and spyout the land."So the menwentup and spiedout Ai.
