Hosea
CHAPTER1
1ThewordoftheLORDthatcameuntoHosea,thesonof Beeri,inthedaysofUzziah,Jotham,Ahaz,andHezekiah, kingsofJudah,andinthedaysofJeroboamthesonof Joash,kingofIsrael.
2ThebeginningofthewordoftheLORDbyHoseaAnd theLORDsaidtoHosea,Go,takeuntotheeawifeof whoredomsandchildrenofwhoredoms:forthelandhath committedgreatwhoredom,departingfromtheLORD 3SohewentandtookGomerthedaughterofDiblaim; whichconceived,andbarehimason.
4AndtheLORDsaiduntohim,CallhisnameJezreel;for yetalittlewhile,andIwillavengethebloodofJezreel uponthehouseofJehu,andwillcausetoceasethe kingdomofthehouseofIsrael
5Anditshallcometopassatthatday,thatIwillbreakthe bowofIsraelinthevalleyofJezreel.
6Andsheconceivedagain,andbareadaughterAndGod saiduntohim,CallhernameLoruhamah:forIwillno morehavemercyuponthehouseofIsrael;butIwillutterly takethemaway
7ButIwillhavemercyuponthehouseofJudah,andwill savethembytheLORDtheirGod,andwillnotsavethem bybow,norbysword,norbybattle,byhorses,norby horsemen
8NowwhenshehadweanedLoruhamah,sheconceived, andbareason
9ThensaidGod,CallhisnameLoammi:foryearenotmy people,andIwillnotbeyourGod.
10YetthenumberofthechildrenofIsraelshallbeasthe sandofthesea,whichcannotbemeasurednornumbered; anditshallcometopass,thatintheplacewhereitwassaid untothem,Yearenotmypeople,thereitshallbesaidunto them,YearethesonsofthelivingGod.
11ThenshallthechildrenofJudahandthechildrenof Israelbegatheredtogether,andappointthemselvesone head,andtheyshallcomeupoutoftheland:forgreatshall bethedayofJezreel
CHAPTER2
1Sayyeuntoyourbrethren,Ammi;andtoyoursisters, Ruhamah.
2Pleadwithyourmother,plead:forsheisnotmywife, neitheramIherhusband:letherthereforeputawayher whoredomsoutofhersight,andheradulteriesfrom betweenherbreasts;
3LestIstriphernaked,andsetherasinthedaythatshe wasborn,andmakeherasawilderness,andsetherlikea dryland,andslayherwiththirst
4AndIwillnothavemercyuponherchildren;fortheybe thechildrenofwhoredoms.
5Fortheirmotherhathplayedtheharlot:shethat conceivedthemhathdoneshamefully:forshesaid,Iwill goaftermylovers,thatgivememybreadandmywater, mywoolandmyflax,mineoilandmydrink
6Therefore,behold,Iwillhedgeupthywaywiththorns, andmakeawall,thatsheshallnotfindherpaths.
7Andsheshallfollowafterherlovers,butsheshallnot overtakethem;andsheshallseekthem,butshallnotfind them:thenshallshesay,Iwillgoandreturntomyfirst husband;forthenwasitbetterwithmethannow 8ForshedidnotknowthatIgavehercorn,andwine,and oil,andmultipliedhersilverandgold,whichtheyprepared forBaal
9ThereforewillIreturn,andtakeawaymycorninthe timethereof,andmywineintheseasonthereof,andwill recovermywoolandmyflaxgiventocoverhernakedness 10AndnowwillIdiscoverherlewdnessinthesightofher lovers,andnoneshalldeliverheroutofminehand.
11Iwillalsocauseallhermirthtocease,herfeastdays, hernewmoons,andhersabbaths,andallhersolemnfeasts 12AndIwilldestroyhervinesandherfigtrees,whereof shehathsaid,Thesearemyrewardsthatmylovershave givenme:andIwillmakethemaforest,andthebeastsof thefieldshalleatthem.
13AndIwillvisituponherthedaysofBaalim,wherein sheburnedincensetothem,andshedeckedherselfwith herearringsandherjewels,andshewentafterherlovers, andforgatme,saiththeLORD
14Therefore,behold,Iwillallureher,andbringherinto thewilderness,andspeakcomfortablyuntoher.
15AndIwillgiveherhervineyardsfromthence,andthe valleyofAchorforadoorofhope:andsheshallsingthere, asinthedaysofheryouth,andasinthedaywhenshe cameupoutofthelandofEgypt
16Anditshallbeatthatday,saiththeLORD,thatthou shaltcallmeIshi;andshaltcallmenomoreBaali
17ForIwilltakeawaythenamesofBaalimoutofher mouth,andtheyshallnomoreberememberedbytheir name
18AndinthatdaywillImakeacovenantforthemwith thebeastsofthefield,andwiththefowlsofheaven,and withthecreepingthingsoftheground:andIwillbreakthe bowandtheswordandthebattleoutoftheearth,andwill makethemtoliedownsafely.
19AndIwillbetroththeeuntomeforever;yea,Iwill betroththeeuntomeinrighteousness,andinjudgment, andinlovingkindness,andinmercies.
20Iwillevenbetroththeeuntomeinfaithfulness:and thoushaltknowtheLORD
21Anditshallcometopassinthatday,Iwillhear,saith theLORD,Iwillheartheheavens,andtheyshallhearthe earth;
22Andtheearthshallhearthecorn,andthewine,andthe oil;andtheyshallhearJezreel
23AndIwillsowheruntomeintheearth;andIwillhave mercyuponherthathadnotobtainedmercy;andIwillsay tothemwhichwerenotmypeople,Thouartmypeople; andtheyshallsay,ThouartmyGod
CHAPTER3
1ThensaidtheLORDuntome,Goyet,loveawoman belovedofherfriend,yetanadulteress,accordingtothe loveoftheLORDtowardthechildrenofIsrael,wholook toothergods,andloveflagonsofwine.
2SoIboughthertomeforfifteenpiecesofsilver,andfor anhomerofbarley,andanhalfhomerofbarley:
3AndIsaiduntoher,Thoushaltabideformemanydays; thoushaltnotplaytheharlot,andthoushaltnotbefor anotherman:sowillIalsobeforthee
4ForthechildrenofIsraelshallabidemanydayswithouta king,andwithoutaprince,andwithoutasacrifice,and withoutanimage,andwithoutanephod,andwithout teraphim:
5AfterwardshallthechildrenofIsraelreturn,andseekthe LORDtheirGod,andDavidtheirking;andshallfearthe LORDandhisgoodnessinthelatterdays
CHAPTER4
1HearthewordoftheLORD,yechildrenofIsrael:forthe LORDhathacontroversywiththeinhabitantsoftheland, becausethereisnotruth,normercy,norknowledgeofGod intheland
2Byswearing,andlying,andkilling,andstealing,and committingadultery,theybreakout,andbloodtoucheth blood
3Thereforeshallthelandmourn,andeveryonethat dwelleththereinshalllanguish,withthebeastsofthefield, andwiththefowlsofheaven;yea,thefishesoftheseaalso shallbetakenaway
4Yetletnomanstrive,norreproveanother:forthypeople areastheythatstrivewiththepriest
5Thereforeshaltthoufallintheday,andtheprophetalso shallfallwiththeeinthenight,andIwilldestroythy mother
6Mypeoplearedestroyedforlackofknowledge:because thouhastrejectedknowledge,Iwillalsorejectthee,that thoushaltbenopriesttome:seeingthouhastforgottenthe lawofthyGod,Iwillalsoforgetthychildren
7Astheywereincreased,sotheysinnedagainstme: thereforewillIchangetheirgloryintoshame
8Theyeatupthesinofmypeople,andtheysettheirheart ontheiriniquity.
9Andthereshallbe,likepeople,likepriest:andIwill punishthemfortheirways,andrewardthemtheirdoings
10Fortheyshalleat,andnothaveenough:theyshall commitwhoredom,andshallnotincrease:becausethey haveleftofftotakeheedtotheLORD
11Whoredomandwineandnewwinetakeawaytheheart.
12Mypeopleaskcounselattheirstocks,andtheirstaff declarethuntothem:forthespiritofwhoredomshath causedthemtoerr,andtheyhavegoneawhoringfrom undertheirGod
13Theysacrificeuponthetopsofthemountains,andburn incenseuponthehills,underoaksandpoplarsandelms, becausetheshadowthereofisgood:thereforeyour daughtersshallcommitwhoredom,andyourspousesshall commitadultery.
14Iwillnotpunishyourdaughterswhentheycommit whoredom,noryourspouseswhentheycommitadultery: forthemselvesareseparatedwithwhores,andthey sacrificewithharlots:thereforethepeoplethatdothnot understandshallfall.
15Thoughthou,Israel,playtheharlot,yetletnotJudah offend;andcomenotyeuntoGilgal,neithergoyeupto Bethaven,norswear,TheLORDliveth.
16ForIsraelslidethbackasabackslidingheifer:nowthe LORDwillfeedthemasalambinalargeplace
17Ephraimisjoinedtoidols:lethimalone
18Theirdrinkissour:theyhavecommittedwhoredom continually:herrulerswithshamedolove,Giveye
19Thewindhathboundherupinherwings,andtheyshall beashamedbecauseoftheirsacrifices.
CHAPTER5
1Hearyethis,Opriests;andhearken,yehouseofIsrael; andgiveyeear,Ohouseoftheking;forjudgmentis towardyou,becauseyehavebeenasnareonMizpah,and anetspreaduponTabor
2Andtherevoltersareprofoundtomakeslaughter,though Ihavebeenarebukerofthemall
3IknowEphraim,andIsraelisnothidfromme:fornow, OEphraim,thoucommittestwhoredom,andIsraelis defiled
4TheywillnotframetheirdoingstoturnuntotheirGod: forthespiritofwhoredomsisinthemidstofthem,and theyhavenotknowntheLORD
5AndtheprideofIsraeldothtestifytohisface:therefore shallIsraelandEphraimfallintheiriniquity;Judahalso shallfallwiththem
6Theyshallgowiththeirflocksandwiththeirherdsto seektheLORD;buttheyshallnotfindhim;hehath withdrawnhimselffromthem
7TheyhavedealttreacherouslyagainsttheLORD:for theyhavebegottenstrangechildren:nowshallamonth devourthemwiththeirportions
8BlowyethecornetinGibeah,andthetrumpetinRamah: cryaloudatBethaven,afterthee,OBenjamin.
9Ephraimshallbedesolateinthedayofrebuke:among thetribesofIsraelhaveImadeknownthatwhichshall surelybe.
10TheprincesofJudahwerelikethemthatremovethe bound:thereforeIwillpouroutmywrathuponthemlike water.
11Ephraimisoppressedandbrokeninjudgment,because hewillinglywalkedafterthecommandment
12ThereforewillIbeuntoEphraimasamoth,andtothe houseofJudahasrottenness
13WhenEphraimsawhissickness,andJudahsawhis wound,thenwentEphraimtotheAssyrian,andsentto kingJareb:yetcouldhenothealyou,norcureyouofyour wound
14ForIwillbeuntoEphraimasalion,andasayounglion tothehouseofJudah:I,evenI,willtearandgoaway;I willtakeaway,andnoneshallrescuehim.
15Iwillgoandreturntomyplace,tilltheyacknowledge theiroffence,andseekmyface:intheirafflictiontheywill seekmeearly
CHAPTER6
1Come,andletusreturnuntotheLORD:forhehathtorn, andhewillhealus;hehathsmitten,andhewillbindusup
2Aftertwodayswillhereviveus:inthethirddayhewill raiseusup,andweshallliveinhissight
3Thenshallweknow,ifwefollowontoknowtheLORD: hisgoingforthispreparedasthemorning;andheshall comeuntousastherain,asthelatterandformerrainunto theearth
4OEphraim,whatshallIdountothee?OJudah,what shallIdountothee?foryourgoodnessisasamorning cloud,andastheearlydewitgoethaway
5ThereforehaveIhewedthembytheprophets;Ihave slainthembythewordsofmymouth:andthyjudgments areasthelightthatgoethforth
6ForIdesiredmercy,andnotsacrifice;andtheknowledge ofGodmorethanburntofferings.
7Buttheylikemenhavetransgressedthecovenant:there havetheydealttreacherouslyagainstme
8Gileadisacityofthemthatworkiniquity,andis pollutedwithblood
9Andastroopsofrobberswaitforaman,sothecompany ofpriestsmurderinthewaybyconsent:fortheycommit lewdness
10IhaveseenanhorriblethinginthehouseofIsrael:there isthewhoredomofEphraim,Israelisdefiled
11Also,OJudah,hehathsetanharvestforthee,whenI returnedthecaptivityofmypeople.
CHAPTER7
1WhenIwouldhavehealedIsrael,thentheiniquityof Ephraimwasdiscovered,andthewickednessofSamaria: fortheycommitfalsehood;andthethiefcomethin,andthe troopofrobbersspoilethwithout
2AndtheyconsidernotintheirheartsthatIrememberall theirwickedness:nowtheirowndoingshavebesetthem about;theyarebeforemyface
3Theymakethekinggladwiththeirwickedness,andthe princeswiththeirlies.
4Theyarealladulterers,asanovenheatedbythebaker, whoceasethfromraisingafterhehathkneadedthedough, untilitbeleavened.
5Inthedayofourkingtheprinceshavemadehimsick withbottlesofwine;hestretchedouthishandwith scorners.
6Fortheyhavemadereadytheirheartlikeanoven,whiles theylieinwait:theirbakersleepethallthenight;inthe morningitburnethasaflamingfire.
7Theyareallhotasanoven,andhavedevouredtheir judges;alltheirkingsarefallen:thereisnoneamongthem thatcallethuntome.
8Ephraim,hehathmixedhimselfamongthepeople; Ephraimisacakenotturned
9Strangershavedevouredhisstrength,andheknowethit not:yea,grayhairsarehereandthereuponhim,yethe knowethnot.
10AndtheprideofIsraeltestifiethtohisface:andtheydo notreturntotheLORDtheirGod,norseekhimforallthis 11Ephraimalsoislikeasillydovewithoutheart:theycall toEgypt,theygotoAssyria.
12Whentheyshallgo,Iwillspreadmynetuponthem;I willbringthemdownasthefowlsoftheheaven;Iwill chastisethem,astheircongregationhathheard
13Woeuntothem!fortheyhavefledfromme:destruction untothem!becausetheyhavetransgressedagainstme: thoughIhaveredeemedthem,yettheyhavespokenlies againstme
14Andtheyhavenotcrieduntomewiththeirheart,when theyhowledupontheirbeds:theyassemblethemselvesfor cornandwine,andtheyrebelagainstme
15ThoughIhaveboundandstrengthenedtheirarms,yet dotheyimaginemischiefagainstme.
16Theyreturn,butnottothemostHigh:theyarelikea deceitfulbow:theirprincesshallfallbytheswordforthe rageoftheirtongue:thisshallbetheirderisionintheland ofEgypt
CHAPTER8
1SetthetrumpettothymouthHeshallcomeasaneagle againstthehouseoftheLORD,becausetheyhave transgressedmycovenant,andtrespassedagainstmylaw
2Israelshallcryuntome,MyGod,weknowthee.
3Israelhathcastoffthethingthatisgood:theenemyshall pursuehim
4Theyhavesetupkings,butnotbyme:theyhavemade princes,andIknewitnot:oftheirsilverandtheirgold havetheymadethemidols,thattheymaybecutoff
5Thycalf,OSamaria,hathcasttheeoff;mineangeris kindledagainstthem:howlongwillitbeeretheyattainto innocency?
6ForfromIsraelwasitalso:theworkmanmadeit; thereforeitisnotGod:butthecalfofSamariashallbe brokeninpieces
7Fortheyhavesownthewind,andtheyshallreapthe whirlwind:ithathnostalk:thebudshallyieldnomeal:if sobeityield,thestrangersshallswallowitup
8Israelisswallowedup:nowshalltheybeamongthe Gentilesasavesselwhereinisnopleasure
9FortheyaregoneuptoAssyria,awildassaloneby himself:Ephraimhathhiredlovers.
10Yea,thoughtheyhavehiredamongthenations,now willIgatherthem,andtheyshallsorrowalittleforthe burdenofthekingofprinces.
11BecauseEphraimhathmademanyaltarstosin,altars shallbeuntohimtosin
12Ihavewrittentohimthegreatthingsofmylaw,but theywerecountedasastrangething
13Theysacrificefleshforthesacrificesofmineofferings, andeatit;buttheLORDaccepteththemnot;nowwillhe remembertheiriniquity,andvisittheirsins:theyshall returntoEgypt
14ForIsraelhathforgottenhisMaker,andbuildeth temples;andJudahhathmultipliedfencedcities:butIwill sendafireuponhiscities,anditshalldevourthepalaces thereof.
CHAPTER9
1Rejoicenot,OIsrael,forjoy,asotherpeople:forthou hastgoneawhoringfromthyGod,thouhastloveda rewarduponeverycornfloor.
2Thefloorandthewinepressshallnotfeedthem,andthe newwineshallfailinher
3TheyshallnotdwellintheLORD'Sland;butEphraim shallreturntoEgypt,andtheyshalleatuncleanthingsin Assyria.
4TheyshallnotofferwineofferingstotheLORD,neither shalltheybepleasinguntohim:theirsacrificesshallbe untothemasthebreadofmourners;allthateatthereof shallbepolluted:fortheirbreadfortheirsoulshallnot comeintothehouseoftheLORD
5Whatwillyedointhesolemnday,andinthedayofthe feastoftheLORD?
6For,lo,theyaregonebecauseofdestruction:Egyptshall gatherthemup,Memphisshallburythem:thepleasant placesfortheirsilver,nettlesshallpossessthem:thorns shallbeintheirtabernacles
7Thedaysofvisitationarecome,thedaysofrecompence arecome;Israelshallknowit:theprophetisafool,the spiritualmanismad,forthemultitudeofthineiniquity, andthegreathatred
8ThewatchmanofEphraimwaswithmyGod:butthe prophetisasnareofafowlerinallhisways,andhatredin thehouseofhisGod.
9Theyhavedeeplycorruptedthemselves,asinthedaysof Gibeah:thereforehewillremembertheiriniquity,hewill visittheirsins.
10IfoundIsraellikegrapesinthewilderness;Isawyour fathersasthefirstripeinthefigtreeatherfirsttime:but theywenttoBaalpeor,andseparatedthemselvesuntothat shame;andtheirabominationswereaccordingasthey loved
11AsforEphraim,theirgloryshallflyawaylikeabird, fromthebirth,andfromthewomb,andfromthe conception
12Thoughtheybringuptheirchildren,yetwillIbereave them,thatthereshallnotbeamanleft:yea,woealsoto themwhenIdepartfromthem!
13Ephraim,asIsawTyrus,isplantedinapleasantplace: butEphraimshallbringforthhischildrentothemurderer
14Givethem,OLORD:whatwiltthougive?givethema miscarryingwombanddrybreasts.
15AlltheirwickednessisinGilgal:forthereIhatedthem: forthewickednessoftheirdoingsIwilldrivethemoutof minehouse,Iwilllovethemnomore:alltheirprincesare revolters
16Ephraimissmitten,theirrootisdriedup,theyshallbear nofruit:yea,thoughtheybringforth,yetwillIslayeven thebelovedfruitoftheirwomb
17MyGodwillcastthemaway,becausetheydidnot hearkenuntohim:andtheyshallbewanderersamongthe nations
CHAPTER10
1Israelisanemptyvine,hebringethforthfruitunto himself:accordingtothemultitudeofhisfruithehath increasedthealtars;accordingtothegoodnessofhisland theyhavemadegoodlyimages.
2Theirheartisdivided;nowshalltheybefoundfaulty:he shallbreakdowntheiraltars,heshallspoiltheirimages
3Fornowtheyshallsay,Wehavenoking,becausewe fearednottheLORD;whatthenshouldakingdotous?
4Theyhavespokenwords,swearingfalselyinmakinga covenant:thusjudgmentspringethupashemlockinthe furrowsofthefield
5TheinhabitantsofSamariashallfearbecauseofthe calvesofBethaven:forthepeoplethereofshallmournover it,andtheprieststhereofthatrejoicedonit,fortheglory thereof,becauseitisdepartedfromit
6ItshallbealsocarrieduntoAssyriaforapresenttoking Jareb:Ephraimshallreceiveshame,andIsraelshallbe ashamedofhisowncounsel
7AsforSamaria,herkingiscutoffasthefoamuponthe water.
8ThehighplacesalsoofAven,thesinofIsrael,shallbe destroyed:thethornandthethistleshallcomeupontheir altars;andtheyshallsaytothemountains,Coverus;andto thehills,Fallonus
9OIsrael,thouhastsinnedfromthedaysofGibeah:there theystood:thebattleinGibeahagainstthechildrenof iniquitydidnotovertakethem
10ItisinmydesirethatIshouldchastisethem;andthe peopleshallbegatheredagainstthem,whentheyshallbind themselvesintheirtwofurrows
11AndEphraimisasanheiferthatistaught,andlovethto treadoutthecorn;butIpassedoveruponherfairneck:I willmakeEphraimtoride;Judahshallplow,andJacob shallbreakhisclods.
12Sowtoyourselvesinrighteousness,reapinmercy; breakupyourfallowground:foritistimetoseekthe LORD,tillhecomeandrainrighteousnessuponyou.
13Yehaveplowedwickedness,yehavereapediniquity; yehaveeatenthefruitoflies:becausethoudidsttrustin thyway,inthemultitudeofthymightymen.
14Thereforeshallatumultariseamongthypeople,andall thyfortressesshallbespoiled,asShalmanspoiled Betharbelinthedayofbattle:themotherwasdashedin piecesuponherchildren
15SoshallBetheldountoyoubecauseofyourgreat wickedness:inamorningshallthekingofIsraelutterlybe cutoff
CHAPTER11
1WhenIsraelwasachild,thenIlovedhim,andcalledmy sonoutofEgypt.
2Astheycalledthem,sotheywentfromthem:they sacrificeduntoBaalim,andburnedincensetograven images.
3ItaughtEphraimalsotogo,takingthembytheirarms; buttheyknewnotthatIhealedthem
4Idrewthemwithcordsofaman,withbandsoflove:and Iwastothemastheythattakeofftheyokeontheirjaws, andIlaidmeatuntothem
5HeshallnotreturnintothelandofEgypt,butthe Assyrianshallbehisking,becausetheyrefusedtoreturn
6Andtheswordshallabideonhiscities,andshall consumehisbranches,anddevourthem,becauseoftheir owncounsels
7Andmypeoplearebenttobackslidingfromme:though theycalledthemtothemostHigh,noneatallwouldexalt him
8HowshallIgivetheeup,Ephraim?howshallIdeliver thee,Israel?howshallImaketheeasAdmah?howshallI settheeasZeboim?mineheartisturnedwithinme,my repentingsarekindledtogether
9Iwillnotexecutethefiercenessofmineanger,Iwillnot returntodestroyEphraim:forIamGod,andnotman;the HolyOneinthemidstofthee:andIwillnotenterintothe city
10TheyshallwalkaftertheLORD:heshallroarlikealion: whenheshallroar,thenthechildrenshalltremblefromthe west
11TheyshalltrembleasabirdoutofEgypt,andasadove outofthelandofAssyria:andIwillplacethemintheir houses,saiththeLORD
12Ephraimcompassethmeaboutwithlies,andthehouse ofIsraelwithdeceit:butJudahyetrulethwithGod,andis faithfulwiththesaints
CHAPTER12
1Ephraimfeedethonwind,andfollowethaftertheeast wind:hedailyincreasethliesanddesolation;andtheydo makeacovenantwiththeAssyrians,andoiliscarriedinto Egypt.
2TheLORDhathalsoacontroversywithJudah,andwill punishJacobaccordingtohisways;accordingtohis doingswillherecompensehim.
3Hetookhisbrotherbytheheelinthewomb,andbyhis strengthhehadpowerwithGod:
4Yea,hehadpowerovertheangel,andprevailed:hewept, andmadesupplicationuntohim:hefoundhiminBethel, andtherehespakewithus;
5EventheLORDGodofhosts;theLORDishismemorial.
6ThereforeturnthoutothyGod:keepmercyand judgment,andwaitonthyGodcontinually
7Heisamerchant,thebalancesofdeceitareinhishand: helovethtooppress
8AndEphraimsaid,YetIambecomerich,Ihavefound meoutsubstance:inallmylabourstheyshallfindnone iniquityinmethatweresin
9AndIthatamtheLORDthyGodfromthelandofEgypt willyetmaketheetodwellintabernacles,asinthedaysof thesolemnfeast
10Ihavealsospokenbytheprophets,andIhave multipliedvisions,andusedsimilitudes,bytheministryof theprophets
11IsthereiniquityinGilead?surelytheyarevanity:they sacrificebullocksinGilgal;yea,theiraltarsareasheapsin thefurrowsofthefields
12AndJacobfledintothecountryofSyria,andIsrael servedforawife,andforawifehekeptsheep.
13AndbyaprophettheLORDbroughtIsraeloutofEgypt, andbyaprophetwashepreserved 14Ephraimprovokedhimtoangermostbitterly:therefore shallheleavehisblooduponhim,andhisreproachshall hisLordreturnuntohim
CHAPTER13
1WhenEphraimspaketrembling,heexaltedhimselfin Israel;butwhenheoffendedinBaal,hedied
2Andnowtheysinmoreandmore,andhavemadethem moltenimagesoftheirsilver,andidolsaccordingtotheir ownunderstanding,allofittheworkofthecraftsmen:they sayofthem,Letthementhatsacrificekissthecalves
3Thereforetheyshallbeasthemorningcloud,andasthe earlydewthatpassethaway,asthechaffthatisdrivenwith thewhirlwindoutofthefloor,andasthesmokeoutofthe chimney
4YetIamtheLORDthyGodfromthelandofEgypt,and thoushaltknownogodbutme:forthereisnosaviour besideme
5Ididknowtheeinthewilderness,inthelandofgreat drought.
6Accordingtotheirpasture,soweretheyfilled;theywere filled,andtheirheartwasexalted;thereforehavethey forgottenme.
7ThereforeIwillbeuntothemasalion:asaleopardby thewaywillIobservethem:
8Iwillmeetthemasabearthatisbereavedofherwhelps, andwillrendthecauloftheirheart,andtherewillIdevour themlikealion:thewildbeastshalltearthem
9OIsrael,thouhastdestroyedthyself;butinmeisthine help
10Iwillbethyking:whereisanyotherthatmaysavethee inallthycities?andthyjudgesofwhomthousaidst,Give meakingandprinces?
11Igavetheeakinginmineanger,andtookhimawayin mywrath
12TheiniquityofEphraimisboundup;hissinishid
13Thesorrowsofatravailingwomanshallcomeuponhim: heisanunwiseson;forheshouldnotstaylongintheplace ofthebreakingforthofchildren
14Iwillransomthemfromthepowerofthegrave;Iwill redeemthemfromdeath:Odeath,Iwillbethyplagues;O grave,Iwillbethydestruction:repentanceshallbehid frommineeyes.
15Thoughhebefruitfulamonghisbrethren,aneastwind shallcome,thewindoftheLORDshallcomeupfromthe wilderness,andhisspringshallbecomedry,andhis fountainshallbedriedup:heshallspoilthetreasureofall pleasantvessels
16Samariashallbecomedesolate;forshehathrebelled againstherGod:theyshallfallbythesword:theirinfants shallbedashedinpieces,andtheirwomenwithchildshall berippedup.
CHAPTER14
1OIsrael,returnuntotheLORDthyGod;forthouhast fallenbythineiniquity
2Takewithyouwords,andturntotheLORD:sayunto him,Takeawayalliniquity,andreceiveusgraciously:so willwerenderthecalvesofourlips
3Asshurshallnotsaveus;wewillnotrideuponhorses: neitherwillwesayanymoretotheworkofourhands,Ye areourgods:forintheethefatherlessfindethmercy
4Iwillhealtheirbacksliding,Iwilllovethemfreely:for mineangeristurnedawayfromhim
5IwillbeasthedewuntoIsrael:heshallgrowasthelily, andcastforthhisrootsasLebanon
6Hisbranchesshallspread,andhisbeautyshallbeasthe olivetree,andhissmellasLebanon
7Theythatdwellunderhisshadowshallreturn;theyshall reviveasthecorn,andgrowasthevine:thescentthereof shallbeasthewineofLebanon
8Ephraimshallsay,WhathaveItodoanymorewithidols? Ihaveheardhim,andobservedhim:Iamlikeagreenfir tree.Frommeisthyfruitfound.
9Whoiswise,andheshallunderstandthesethings? prudent,andheshallknowthem?forthewaysofthe LORDareright,andthejustshallwalkinthem:butthe transgressorsshallfalltherein