Hosea 8:9-14 ▼

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.

11 |The more altars Ephraim builds for sin, the more altars there will be for sin.

12 I prescribed great things from my Law for them, but they considered them profane.

13 They offer me meat from the sacrifices of my offerings, and they eat from it, but the LORD does not accept them. He will now remember their transgression and pay them back for their sins; to Egypt they will return.

14 |Israel has neglected its maker in building palaces. Judah has multiplied its fortified cities, but I will send fire to their cities, and it will consume their fortresses.|