O house of Israel, hear the lamentation I have made for you.

The virgin of Israel fell and could not rise again, lying on the ground without any support.

This is what the Lord GOD says: For the city of the house of Israel, which sent out a thousand soldiers, there is only one hundred left, and for the city that sent out a hundred, there are only ten left.

Thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, Seek me, and ye shall live.

Do not seek Bethel, do not enter Gilgal, and do not cross to Beersheba. For Gilgal will be taken captive, and Bethel will come to nothing.

Seek the Lord, and you will live. Lest he go out like fire in the house of Joseph, and burn it in Bethel without anyone to extinguish it.

You who turn justice into a stain, and cast away righteousness on the earth,

Seek the one who made the Pleiades and the ginseng, who turned the shadow of death into morning light, who turned the day into night, and who ordered the sea to pour it out on the earth. (The Lord is his name)

He caused the strong to suddenly perish, resulting in the destruction of the fortress.

You hate those who rebuke at the city gate, and hate those who speak the truth.

You trample on the poor and extort wheat from them. You build houses with chiseled stones, but you shall not dwell in them, plant beautiful vineyards, but you shall not drink the wine that comes out.

I know how many sins you have committed and how great your sins are. You mistreat the righteous, accept bribes, and turn the poor in vain at the gate of the city.

So when a wise person sees such a situation, they will remain silent. Because the situation is really bad.

If you demand good, do not seek evil, and you will live. So the Lord God of hosts will be with you, as you have said.

To do evil and good, to uphold justice and righteousness at the city gate. Perhaps the Lord, the God of hosts, will show mercy to the remaining people of Joseph.

This is what the Lord, the God of hosts, says: In all the wide places there will be a sound of lamentation. In every market, someone will say, Alas, Alas. And I will call the farmers to cry and mourn, and those who are skilled in singing mournful songs to mourn.

In every vineyard, there will be a mournful sound. Because I will pass through you. This is what the Lord has said.

Woe to the day of the Lord. Why do you wish for the day of the Lord? That day was dark without light,

The situation seems like people avoiding lions and meeting bears. Or if you enter a house with your hand against the wall and get bitten by a snake.

Is not the day of the Lord dark without light? Isn’t it dark and devoid of radiance?

I detest your holidays and I am not happy with your serious meetings.

Although you offer me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I am not pleased to accept them. I also disregard the peace offerings you offer with fat animals.

To keep your singing voice away from me. Because I don’t listen to the sound of you playing the piano.

May fairness roll like a flood, and righteousness flow like a river.

O house of Israel, have you offered sacrifices and offerings to me in the wilderness for forty years?

You carry the tabernacle of Moro, which you have made for yourself, and the niches of your idols, as well as your gods and stars.

So I want to kidnap you outside of Damascus. This is what the Lord, the God of hosts, has said.