1. Hear ye this word which I take up for a lamentation over you, O house of Israel.
2. The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is cast down upon her land; there is none to raise her up.
3. For thus saith the Lord GOD: The city that went forth a thousand shall have an hundred left, and that which went forth an hundred shall have ten left, to the house of Israel.
4. For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:
5. but seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to nought.