World English Bible

The Book of Hosea

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1 When I would heal Israel, then is the iniquity of Ephraim uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the troop of robbers ravages outside.
2 They don't consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now have their own doings beset them about; they are before my face.
3 They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
4 They are all adulterers; they are as an oven heated by the baker; he ceases to stir [the fire], from the kneading of the dough, until it be leavened.
5 On the day of our king the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers.
6 For they have made ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait: their baker sleeps all the night; in the morning it burns as a flaming fire.
7 They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them who calls to me.
8 Ephraim, he mixes himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he doesn't know [it]: yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, and he doesn't know [it].
10 The pride of Israel does testify to his face: yet they have not returned to Yahweh their God, nor sought him, for all this.
11 Ephraim is like a silly dove, without understanding: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
12 When they shall go, I will spread my net on them; I will bring them down as the birds of the sky; I will chastise them, as their congregation has heard.
13 Woe to them! for they have wandered from me; destruction to them! for they have trespassed against me: though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
14 They have not cried to me with their heart, but they howl on their beds: they assemble themselves for grain and new wine; they rebel against me.
15 Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet do they devise mischief against me.
16 They return, but not to [him who is] on high; they are like a deceitful bow; their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.