Hosea 8:1-10 ▼

1 |Sound the ram's horn! Like a vulture the enemy will come against the Temple of the LORD, because Israel violated my covenant, transgressing my Law.

2 They cry out to me, 'God, we of Israel acknowledge you.'

3 |Israel has discarded what is good. The enemy will pursue them.

4 They set kings in place, but not by me. They established princes, whom I did not recognize. They crafted idols for themselves from their silver and gold; as a result, they will be destroyed.

5 Your calf, Samaria, has been thrown away. My anger is burning against them. How long until they become pure again?

6 Because from Israel it was fashioned by craftsmen, it is not God; therefore Samaria's calf will be broken in pieces.

7 |Because they sow the wind, they will reap the wind storm. The plant has no stalk and its bud yields no grain. Even if there's a harvest, foreigners will gobble it up.

8 Israel has been devoured; now they will live among the nations like a worthless container.

9 |Because they went over to Assyria, they are like a wild donkey alone by itself. Ephraim has hired some lovers.

10 Even though they sold themselves to the nations, I will gather them. They will mourn for a while for the burden they were to the king and princes.