Hosea 13:7-16 ▼

7 So I will pounce on them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk by the path.

8 I will attack them like a bear robbed of her cubs--I will rip open their chests. I will devour them there like a lion--like a wild animal would tear them apart.

9 I will destroy you, O Israel! Who is there to help you?

10 Where then is your king, that he may save you in all your cities? Where are your rulers for whom you asked, saying, |Give me a king and princes|?

11 I granted you a king in my anger, and I will take him away in my wrath!

12 The punishment of Ephraim has been decreed; his punishment is being stored up for the future.

13 The labor pains of a woman will overtake him, but the baby will lack wisdom; when the time arrives, he will not come out of the womb!

14 Will I deliver them from the power of Sheol? No, I will not! Will I redeem them from death? No, I will not! O Death, bring on your plagues! O Sheol, bring on your destruction! My eyes will not show any compassion!

15 Even though he flourishes like a reed plant, a scorching east wind will come, a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. As a result, his spring will dry up; his well will become dry. That wind will spoil all his delightful foods in the containers in his storehouse.

16 Samaria will be held guilty, because she rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword, their infants will be dashed to the ground--their pregnant women will be ripped open.