Hosea 8:1-13 ▼

1 He shall come into their midst as the land, as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant, and have sinned against my law.

2 They shall soon cry out to me, saying , O God, we know thee.

3 For Israel has turned away from good things; they have pursued an enemy.

4 They have made kings for themselves, but not by me: they have ruled, but they did not make it known to me: of their silver and their gold they have made images to themselves, that they might be destroyed.

5 Cast off thy calf, O Samaria; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will they be unable to purge themselves in Israel?

6 Whereas the workman made it, and it is not God; wherefore thy calf, Samaria, was a deceiver:

7 for they sowed blighted seed , and their destruction shall await them, a sheaf of corn that avails not to make meal; and even if it should produce it, strangers shall devour it.

8 Israel is swallowed up: now is he become among the nations as a worthless vessel.

9 For they have gone up to the Assyrians: Ephraim has been strengthened against himself; they loved gifts.

10 Therefore shall they be delivered to the nations: now I will receive them, and they shall cease a little to anoint a king and princes.

11 Because Ephraim has multiplied altars, his beloved altars are become sins to him.

12 I will write down a multitude of commands for him; but his statutes are accounted strange things, even the beloved altars.

13 For if they should offer a sacrifice, and eat flesh, the lord will not accept them: now will he remember their iniquities, and will take vengeance on their sins: they have returned to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things among the Assyrians.