1When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.2And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.3Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.4Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.5I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.7Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them :8I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps , and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.9O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.10I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?11I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.13The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.14I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.15Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.16Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
Hosea 13
English Standard Version
The Lord’s Relentless Judgment on Israel
1When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel, but he incurred guilt through Baal and died. (Ho 11:2; Am 6:13)2And now they sin more and more, and make for themselves metal images, idols skillfully made of their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of them, “Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!” (1Ki 19:18; Job 31:26; Ps 115:4; Isa 40:19; Ho 2:8)3Therefore they shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that goes early away, like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or like smoke from a window. (Ps 1:4; Ps 68:2; Ho 6:4)4But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior. (Ex 20:3; Isa 43:11; Isa 45:21; Ho 12:9)5It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought; (De 2:7; Am 3:2)6but when they had grazed,[1] they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me. (De 8:12; De 8:14; De 32:15; Ho 4:7)7So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk beside the way. (Jer 5:6; Ho 5:14)8I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs; I will tear open their breast, and there I will devour them like a lion, as a wild beast would rip them open. (2Sa 17:8; Pr 17:12; Ho 2:12)9He destroys[2] you, O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper. (De 33:26)10Where now is your king, to save you in all your cities? Where are all your rulers— those of whom you said, “Give me a king and princes”? (1Sa 8:5; 1Sa 8:19; Ho 8:4; Ho 10:3)11I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath. (1Sa 8:22; 1Sa 15:23)12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is kept in store. (Job 14:17)13The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son, for at the right time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb. (2Ki 19:3; Isa 13:8; 1Th 5:3)14I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death.[3] O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes. (Isa 25:8; Isa 26:19; Eze 9:10; Eze 14:21; Eze 37:12; 1Co 15:55)15Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the Lord, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing. (Ge 41:52; Eze 17:10; Eze 19:12; Ho 12:8; Jon 4:8; Hab 1:9)16[4] Samaria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword; their little ones shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open. (2Ki 8:12; 2Ki 15:16; 2Ki 18:12; Ho 9:12; Ho 10:14; Am 1:13; Hab 1:11)