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.