Hosea 13



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

2.  And 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.

3.  Therefore 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.

4.  Yet 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.

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

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

7.  Therefore 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: the wild beast shall tear * them.

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

10.  I 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?

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

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

13.  The 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.

14.  I 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.

15.  Though 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.

16.  Samaria 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 * .