So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, who conceived and bore him a son.

And Jehovah said to him, Call his name God Will Sow. For still in a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, and will cause the kingdom of the house of Israel to cease.

And she conceived again and bore a daughter. And God said to him, Call her name No-mercy, for I will no more have mercy on the house of Israel. But I will utterly take them away.

Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.

They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Jehovah; but they shall not find Him. He has withdrawn Himself from them.

For I will be to Ephraim as a lion, and as a strong lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear and go away. I will take away, and none shall rescue him.

Strangers have eaten up his strength, and he does not know. Yea, gray hairs are here and there on him, yet he knows it not.

And the pride of Israel testifies to his face. And they do not return to Jehovah their God, nor seek Him in all this.

Israel has thrown off good; the enemy shall pursue him.

Because Ephraim has made many altars to sin, altars shall be to him to sin.

I have written to him the great things of My Law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

They shall not pour wine to Jehovah, nor shall they be pleasing to Him. Their sacrifices shall be like the bread of sorrows to them; all who eat of them shall be defiled. For their bread is for their soul, it shall not come into the house of Jehovah.

My God shall cast them away because they did not listen to Him. And they shall be wanderers among the nations.

When Israel was a child, then I loved him and called My son out of Egypt.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as those who take off the yoke on their jaws, and I gently give food to him.

And My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they called them to the Most High, none at all would exalt Him.

Jehovah also has a quarrel with Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings He will repay him.

Yes, he wept and cried to Him, and he had power over the Angel and overcame. He found him in Bethel, and there He spoke with us,

Ephraim provoked Me to anger most bitterly; therefore he shall leave his blood on him, and his Lord shall turn his reproach to him.

I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath.

The pains of a woman in travail shall come to him. He is an unwise son; for he cannot stand still in the time of the breaking forth of sons.

Take with you words, and turn to Jehovah. Say to Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, that we may repay with the calves of our lips.

I will heal their backslidings; I will love them freely; for My anger has turned away from him.

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him and watched him; I am like a green fir tree. Your fruit is found from Me.