Hosea 8:2-14 ▼

2 They cry out to me, “My God! We know you!”

3 But Israel has rejected what is good; the enemy shall pursue him.

4 They made kings, but not by my authority; they established princes, but without my knowledge. With their silver and gold they made idols for themselves, to their own destruction.

5 He has rejected your calf, Samaria! My wrath is kindled against them; How long will they be incapable of innocence in Israel?

6 An artisan made it, it is no god at all. The calf of Samaria will be dashed to pieces.

7 When they sow the wind, they will reap the whirlwind; The stalk of grain that forms no head can yield no flour; Even if it could, strangers would swallow it.

8 Israel is swallowed up; now they are among the nations, like a useless vessel.

9 For they went up to Assyria— a wild ass off on its own— Ephraim bargained for lovers.

10 Even though they bargain with the nations, I will now gather them together; They will soon succumb under the burden of king and princes.

11 When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, they became altars for sinning.

12 Though I write for him my many instructions, they are considered like a stranger’s.

13 They love sacrifice, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the LORD is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their guilt and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.

14 Israel has forgotten his maker and has built palaces. Judah, too, has fortified many cities, but I will send fire upon his cities, to devour their strongholds.