1. Hear this word, a lamentation, which I take up against you, O house of Israel.
2. The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more arise: she is cast down upon her land; there is none to raise her up.
3. For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: The city that went forth a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went forth a hundred shall have ten left, for the house of Israel.
4. For thus saith Jehovah unto the house of Israel: Seek ye me, and ye shall live.
5. And seek not Bethel, neither go to Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.
6. Seek Jehovah, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.