whenever I want to heal Israel, the sin of Ephraim is revealed, and the evil deeds of Samaria are exposed. For they do what is wrong; thieves break into houses, and gangs rob people out in the streets.

A mixed multitude ¹  also went up with them, and flocks and herds – a very large number of cattle. ² 

They entered Jerusalem to the sound of stringed instruments and trumpets and proceeded to the temple of the Lord.

For the company of the godless is barren, ¹  and fire ²  consumes the tents of those who accept bribes. ³ 

Can you bind the wild ox ¹  to a furrow with its rope, will it till the valleys, following after you?

Then you turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and covered me with joy. ¹ 

Singers walk in front; musicians follow playing their stringed instruments, ¹  in the midst of young women playing tambourines. ² 

Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth! Break out in a joyful shout and sing!

May a curse attach itself to him, like a garment one puts on, ¹  or a belt ²  one wears continually!

Let them praise his name with dancing! Let them sing praises to him to the accompaniment of the tambourine and harp!

They offer only superficial help for the hurt my dear people ¹  have suffered. ²  They say, “Everything will be all right!” But everything is not all right! ³ 

So I bought the shorts as the Lord had told me to do ¹  and put them on. ² 

They will summon a mob who will stone you and hack you in pieces with their swords.

And immediately the man’s ¹  ears were opened, his tongue loosened, and he spoke plainly.

Suddenly ¹  a vast, heavenly army ²  appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

Now on ¹  the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.

A great number of the people followed him, among them women ¹  who were mourning ²  and wailing for him.

Afterward you will go to Gibeah of God, where there are Philistine officials. ¹  When you enter the town, you will meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place. They will have harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.

Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and saw Jehu’s troops approaching. ¹  He said, “I see troops!” ²  Jehoram ordered, ³  “Send a rider out to meet them and have him ask, ‘Is everything all right?’” ⁴ 

But a spirit ¹  empowered ²  Amasai, the leader of the thirty warriors, and he said: ³  “We are yours, O David! We support ⁴  you, O son of Jesse! May you greatly prosper! ⁵  May those who help you prosper! ⁶  Indeed ⁷  your God helps you!” So David accepted them and made them leaders of raiding bands.