Hosea 7:5-16 ▼

5 On the day of our king, they made the princes sick with poisoned wine; he extended his hand to the scoffers.

6 For they draw near in ambush with their hearts like an oven. All the night their anger sleeps; in the morning it flares like a blazing fire.

7 They are all heated like ovens, and consume their rulers. All their kings have fallen; none of them calls upon me.

8 Ephraim is mixed with the nations, Ephraim is an unturned cake.

9 Strangers have consumed his strength, but he does not know it; Gray hairs are strewn on his head, but he takes no notice of it.

10 The arrogance of Israel bears witness against him; yet they do not return to the LORD, their God, nor seek him, despite all this.

11 Ephraim is like a dove, silly and senseless; They call upon Egypt, they go to Assyria.

12 When they go I will spread my net around them, like birds in the air I will bring them down. I will chastise them when I hear of their assembly.

13 Woe to them, for they have strayed from me! Ruin to them, for they have rebelled against me! Though I wished to redeem them, they spoke lies against me.

14 They have not cried to me from their hearts when they wailed upon their beds; For wheat and wine they lacerated themselves; they rebelled against me.

15 Though I trained and strengthened their arms, yet they devised evil against me.

16 They have again become useless, they have been like a treacherous bow. Their princes shall fall by the sword because of the insolence of their tongues; thus they shall be mocked in the land of Egypt.