3 The Lord God has warned,“From every ten soldiersonly one will be left;from a thousand troops,only a hundred will survive.”
4 The Lord keeps saying,“Israel, turn back to meand you will live!
5 Don't go to Gilgal or Bethelor even to Beersheba.Gilgal will be dragged away,and Bethel will end upas nothing.”
6 Turn back to the Lord,you descendants of Joseph,and you will live.If you don't, the Lordwill attack like fire.Bethel will burn to the ground,and no one can save it.
7 You people are doomed!You twist the truthand trample on justice.
8 But the Lord created the starsand put them in place.He turns darkness to dawnand daylight to darkness;he scoops up the oceanand empties it on the earth.
9 God destroys mighty soldiersand strong fortresses.