Hosea 8:1-10 ▼

1 Set the trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture is over the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law.

2 To me they cry, “My God, we—Israel—know you.”

3 Israel has spurned the good; the enemy shall pursue him.

4 They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction.

5 I have spurned your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence?

6 For it is from Israel; a craftsman made it; it is not God. The calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.

7 For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it.

8 Israel is swallowed up; already they are among the nations as a useless vessel.

9 For they have gone up to Assyria, a wild donkey wandering alone; Ephraim has hired lovers.

10 Though they hire allies among the nations, I will soon gather them up. And the king and princes shall soon writhe because of the tribute.