Hosea

Hosea 13 ©

1 Ephraim's glory vanisheth by reason of idolatry. 4 God's former care of his people: for their abuse of his benefits he will destroy them. 9 A promise of mercy and redemption from the grave. 15 The judgment of Samaria for rebellion.

1

WHEN aEphraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he boffended in Baal, he died.

2

cAnd now 1they 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: dthey say of them, Let 2the men that sacrifice ekiss the calves.

3

Therefore fthey 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.

4

Yet gI 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.

5

¶I did hknow thee in ithe wilderness, in the land of great 3drought.

6

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

7

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

8

I 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: 4the wild beast shall tear them.

9

¶O Israel, thou lhast destroyed thyself; but in me 5is thine help.

10

6I will be mthy king: nwhere is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, oGive me a king and princes?

11

pI gave thee a king in mine anger, and qtook him away in my wrath.

12

rThe iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.

13

sThe sorrows of a *travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for the should not stay 7long in the place of uthe breaking forth of children.

14

vI will ransom them from 8the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: wrepentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

15

xThough he be fruitful among his brethren, yan 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 9pleasant vessels.

16

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