Hosea 13

1When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

2And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.footnote afootnote b

3Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

4Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

5I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.footnote c

6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

7Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:

8I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.footnote d

9O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.footnote e

10I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?footnote f

11I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.

12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.

13The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.footnote g

14I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.footnote h

15Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.footnote i

16Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.

God’s Anger against Israel

1When Ephraimfootnote aspoke, there was trembling;he was exalted in Israel.But he incurred guilt through Baal,and he died.

2Now they sin more and moreand make for themselves cast images,idols skillfully made from their silver,all of them the work of craftsmen.People say of them,“They offer human sacrificeand kiss the calves!”footnote b 3Therefore they will be like the morning mist,like the early dew that vanishes,like chaff blown from a threshing floor,like smoke through an open window.

4Yet I am the LORD your Godever since the land of Egypt;you know no God but Me,for there is no Savior besides Me. 5I knew you in the wilderness,in the land of drought. 6When they had pasture,they became satisfied;when they were satisfied,their hearts became proud,and as a result they forgot Me. 7So like a lion I will pounce on them;like a leopard I will lurk by the path. 8Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them,and I will tear open their chests.There I will devour them like a lion,like a wild beast tearing them apart.

Death and Resurrection

9You are destroyed, O Israel,because you are against Me—against your helper.

10Where is your king nowfootnote cto save you in all your cities,and the rulers to whom you said,“Give me a king and princes”? 11So in My anger I gave you a king,and in My wrath I took him away.

12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up;his sin is stored up. 13Labor pains come upon him,but he is an unwise son.When the time arrives,he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb.

14I will ransom them from the power of Sheol;I will redeem them from Death.footnote dWhere, O Death, are your plagues?Where, O Sheol, is your sting?footnote eCompassion is hidden from My eyes.

Judgment on Samaria

15Although he flourishes among his brothers,an east wind will come—a wind from the LORDrising up from the desert.His fountain will fail,and his spring will run dry.The wind will plunder his treasuryof every precious article.

16Samaria will bear her guiltbecause she has rebelled against her God.They will fall by the sword;their little ones will be dashed to pieces,and their pregnant women ripped open.