The Lord said: Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote,
Ephraim herds the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a treaty with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.
They turn to that which does not profit; they have become like a defective bow; their officials shall fall by the sword because of the rage of their tongue. So much for their babbling in the land of Egypt.
Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, do not let Judah become guilty. Do not enter into Gilgal or go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear, “As the Lord lives.”
You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your chariots, in the multitude of your warriors,