2
The LORD God has solemnly promised by his holiness: The days are surely coming upon you, when they will take you away with hooks, even the last one of you with fishhooks.
3
You will go out through the broken wall, each one after another; and you will be flung out into Harmon,
says the LORD.
A divine taunt
4 Come to Bethel—and commit a crime; multiply crimes at Gilgal. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tenth-part gifts every three days.
5
Offer a thanksgiving sacrifice of leavened bread, and publicize your gifts to the LORD; for so you love to do, people of Israel!
says the LORD God.
Israel’s stubbornness
6 I have sent a famine in all your cities, and not provided enough bread in all your places, yet you didn't return to me,
7
says the LORD. I also withheld rain from you when there were still three months to the harvest. I allowed no rain to fall on one city, no rain to fall on another city. One field was rained on, and the field dried up where it didn't rain.
8
So two or three thirsty towns went to one city to drink water, and weren't satisfied; yet you didn't return to me,
9
says the LORD. I struck you with disease and mildew. I destroyed your gardens and your vineyards. The locust devoured your fig trees and your olive trees; yet you didn't return to me,
10
says the LORD. I sent a plague against you like the one in Egypt. I killed your young men with the sword. I carried away your horses. I made the stink of your camp go up into your nostrils; yet you didn't return to me,
11
says the LORD. I destroyed some of you, as when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning coal plucked out of the fire; yet you didn't return to me,
12
says the LORD. Truly, Israel, I will act in this way toward you; therefore, I will do this to you. Prepare to meet your God, Israel!