1 Hear this word that I am going to intone over you as a lament, O house of Israel!
2 Virgin Israel has fallen and will not rise again. She is deserted on her land; there is no one to raise her up.
3 For thus says my Lord Yahweh, “The city that marches out with a thousand will only have a hundred left. And the one that marches out with a hundred will only have ten left for the house of Israel.”
4 For thus says Yahweh to the house of Israel, “Seek me so that you may live.”
5 But do not seek Bethel or go to Gilgal or cross over to Beersheba, for Gilgal will certainly go into exile and Bethel will come to disaster.”