1. Hear this word which I utter concerning you,this dirge, house of Israel:
2. She is fallen, to rise no more,virgin Israel;She lies abandoned on her land,with no one to raise her up.
3. For thus says the Lord Godto the house of Israel:The city that marched out with a thousandshall be left with a hundred,Another that marched out with a hundredshall be left with ten.
4. For thus says the Lordto the house of Israel:Seek me, that you may live,
5. but do not seek Bethel;Do not come to Gilgal,and do not cross over to Beer-sheba;For Gilgal shall be led into exileand Bethel shall be no more.
6. Seek the Lord, that you may live,lest he flare up against the house of Joseph like a firethat shall consume the house of Israel, with no one to quench it.
7. Woe to those who turn justice into wormwoodand cast righteousness to the ground,