Hosea 9

1Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.footnote a

2The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.footnote b

3They shall not dwell in the LORD’s land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.

4They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

5What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?

6For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.footnote cfootnote d

7The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.footnote e

8The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.footnote f

9They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.

10I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

11As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.

12Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!

13Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

14Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.footnote g

15All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.

16Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.footnote h

17My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Israel’s Punishment

1Do not rejoice, O Israel,with exultation like the nations,for you have played the harlot against your God;you have made love for hire on every threshing floor. 2The threshing floor and winepress will not feed them,and the new wine will fail them. 3They will not remainin the land of the LORD;Ephraimfootnote awill return to Egyptand eat unclean food in Assyria.

4They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD,and their sacrifices will not please Him,but will be to them like the bread of mourners;all who eat will be defiled.For their bread will be for themselves;it will not enter the house of the LORD. 5What will you do on the appointed day,on the day of the LORD’s feast? 6For even if they flee destruction,Egypt will gather themand Memphis will bury them.Their precious silver will be taken over by thistles,and thorns will overrun their tents.

7The days of punishment have come;the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it.The prophet is called a fool,and the inspired man insane,because of the greatnessof your iniquity and hostility. 8The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman,along with my God,footnote byet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths.Hostility is in the house of his God! 9They have deeply corrupted themselvesas in the days of Gibeah;He will remember their guilt;He will punish their sins.

10I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness.I saw your fathers as the firstfruitsof the fig tree in its first season.But they went to Baal-peor,and consecrated themselves to Shame;so they became as detestableas the thing they loved. 11Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird,with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception. 12Even if they raise their children,I will bereave them of each one.Yes, woe be to themwhen I turn away from them! 13I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre,planted in a meadow.But Ephraim will bring outhis children for slaughter. 14Give them, O LORD—what will You give?Give them wombs that miscarryand breasts that dry up!

15All their evil appears at Gilgal,for there I hated them.I will drive them from My housefor the wickedness of their deeds.I will no longer love them;all their leaders are rebellious. 16Ephraim is struck down;their root is withered;they cannot bear fruit.Even if they bear children,I will slay the darlings of their wombs. 17My God will reject thembecause they have not obeyed Him;and they shall be wanderersamong the nations.