My people perish, because they have no knowledge. Seeing then that thou hast refused understanding, therefore will I refuse thee also: so that thou shalt no more be my priest. And forsomuch as thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

When Israel was young, I loved him: and called my son out of the land of Egypt.

First, when the LORD spake unto Hosea, he said unto him, "Go thy way, take a harlot to thy wife, and get children by her: for the land hath committed great whoredom against the LORD."

For I have pleasure in loving-kindness, and not in offering: Yea in the knowledge of God, more than in burnt sacrifice.

And the LORD said unto him, "Call his name Jezreel, for I will shortly avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will bring the kingdom of the house of Israel to an end.

Therefore stumblest thou in the daytime and the prophet with them in the night. I will bring thy mother to silence, and why?

If no, I shall strip her naked, and set her, even as she came into the world. Yea, I shall lay her waste, and make her like a wilderness, and slay her for thirst.

She conceived yet again, and bare a daughter. And he said unto him, "Call her name Loruhamah, that is, 'Not obtaining mercy,' for I will have no pity upon the house of Israel, but forget them, and put them clean out of remembrance.

Then will I break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel."

Hear the word of the LORD, O ye children of Israel: For the LORD must punish them, that dwell in the land. And why? There is no faithfulness, there is no mercy, there is no knowledge of God in the land:

In their adversity they shall seek me, and say, "Come, let us turn again to the LORD: for he hath smitten us, and he shall heal us;

Nevertheless I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them even through the LORD their God. But I will not deliver them through any bow, sword, battle, horses, or horsemen."

Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together again, and chose themselves one head, and then depart out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel."

Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived again, and bare a son.

But even like as Adam did, so have they broken my covenant, and set me at naught.

Then said he, "Call his name Loammi. For why? Ye are not my people, therefore will I not be yours.

But Ephraim goeth about me with lies, and the house of Israel dissembleth. Only Judah holdeth him with God, and with the true holy things.

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness, and saw their fathers as the first figs in the top of the fig tree. But they are gone to Baalpeor, and run away from me to that shameful Idol, and are become as abominable as their lovers.

Gilead is a city of wicked doers, of malicious people and bloodshedders.

Therefore must Ephraim be mixed among the Heathen. Ephraim is become like a cake that no man turneth:

I shall have no pity also upon her children, for they be the children of fornication.

Ephraim was unto me, as a cow that is used to go to plow; therefore I loved him, and fell upon his fair neck. I drove Ephraim, Judah plowed, and Jacob played the husbandman:

They shall come with their sheep and bullocks to seek the LORD, but they shall not find him, for he is gone from them.

Ephraim flyeth like a bird, so shall their glory also: Insomuch that they shall neither beget, conceive nor bear children.

By a prophet the LORD brought them out of Egypt, and by a prophet he preserved them.

Since they went up to the Assyrians, they are become like a wild ass in the desert. Ephraim giveth rewards to get lovers.

The more they increased in multitude, the more they sinned against me, therefore will I change their honour into shame.

Their mother hath broken her wedlock, and she that bare them, is come to confusion. For she said, 'I will go after my lovers, that give me my water and my bread, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.'

They eat up the sins of my people, and courage them in their wickedness.

Yet can I see no comfort, for when he is now the goodliest among the brethren, the East wind, even the wind of the LORD, shall come down from the wilderness, and dry up his conduits, and drink up his wells: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

The multitude of the priests is like a heap of thieves, murderers and bloodthirsty: for they have wrought abomination.

"But I will hedge her way with thorns, and stop it, that she shall not find her footsteps:

But afterward shall the children of Israel convert, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king: and in the latter days they shall worship the LORD, and his loving-kindness.

Strangers have devoured his strength, yet he regardeth it not: he waxeth full of gray hairs, yet will he not know it.

But Ephraim hath provoked him to displeasure through his abominations; therefore shall his blood be poured upon himself, and the LORD his God shall reward him his blasphemies.

As for the LORD, they have refused him, and brought up bastard children: a month therefore shall devour them with their portions.

Horrible things have I seen in the house of Israel: there playeth Ephraim the harlot, and Israel is defiled.

Ephraim hath made many altars to do wickedness, therefore shall the altars turn to his sin.

And though they bring up any, yet will I make them childless among men. Yea, woe shall come to them, when I depart from them.

Therefore are they scattered among the Heathen; There will I gather them up. They shall soon be weary of the burden of king and princes.

Thus the priest is become like the people. Wherefore I will punish them for their wicked ways, and reward them according to their own imaginations.

Blow with the shawmes at Gibeah, and with the trumpet in Ramah, cry out at Bethaven upon the yon-side of Benjamin.

But Judah shall have a harvest for himself, when I return the captivity of my people.

And she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold: which they bestowed upon Baal.

Whoredom, wine and drunkenness take the heart away.

They make sacrifices upon the high mountains, and burn their incense upon the hills, yea among the oaks, groves and bushes, for there are good shadows. Therefore your daughters are become harlots, and your spouses have broken their wedlock.

But now they have plowed them wickedness, therefore shall they reap sin, and eat the fruit of lies. Seeing thou puttest thy confidence in thine own ways, and leanest to the multitude of thy worthies:

but while they be going here and there, I shall spread my net over them, and draw them down as the fowls of the air. And according as they have been warned, so will I punish them.

Wherefore now will I go take my corn and wine again in their season, and fet again my wool and my flax, which I gave her to cover her shame.

and though she run after her lovers, yet shall she not get them: she shall seek them, but not find them. Then shall she say, 'Well, I will go turn again to my first husband, for at that time was I better at ease, than now.'

there shall grow a sedition among thy people. All thy strong cities shall be laid waste, even as Shalman was destroyed with his familiars, through him that was avenged of Arbel in the day of battle: where the mother perished with her children.

But the merchant hath a false weight in his hand, he hath a pleasure to occupy extortion.

All their wickedness is done at Gilgal, there do I abhor them. For the ungraciousness of their own inventions, I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more, for all their princes are unfaithful.

Woe be unto them, for they have forsaken me. They must be destroyed, for they have set me at naught. I am he that have redeemed them, and yet they dissemble with me.

Tell your brethren, that they are my people; and your sistren, that they have obtained mercy.

They shall eat, and not have enough: they have used whoredom, therefore shall they not prosper: and why? They have forsaken the LORD, and not regarded him.

Even so shall it go with you, O Bethel, because of your malicious wickedness. Like as the morning goeth away, so shall the king of Israel pass.

As for your mother, ye shall chide with her, and reprove her: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband, unless she put away her whoredoms out of my sight, and her adultery from her breasts.

And now will I discover her foolishness, even in the sight of her lovers, and no man shall deliver her out of my hands.

I will punish her also for the days of Baal, wherein she censed him, decking him with her earrings and chains: when she followed her lovers, and forgat me, sayeth the LORD.

They that dwell in Samaria have worshiped the calf of Bethaven: therefore shall the people mourn over them, yea and the priests also, that in their wealthiness rejoiced with them. And why? It shall pass away from them.

Ephraim is hewn down, their root is dried up, so that they shall bring no more fruit: yea and though they bring forth any, yet will I slay even the best beloved fruit of their body.

I will destroy her vineyards and fig trees, though she sayeth, 'Lo, here are my rewards, that my lovers have given me.' I will make it a wood, and the wild beasts shall eat it up.

Moreover, I will take away all her mirth, her holidays, her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts:

And the pride of Israel is cast down before their face, yet will they not turn to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.

they have forgotten him that made them, they build churches, and Judah maketh many strong cities: therefore will I send a fire into their cities, and it shall consume their places.

In that time of the plague shall Ephraim be laid waste, therefore did I faithfully warn the tribes of Israel.

I will not punish your daughters for being defiled, and your brides that became whores: seeing the fathers themselves have meddled with harlots, and offered with unthriftiness: but the people that will not understand must be punished.

My people ask counsel at their stocks, their staff must tell them. For a whorish mind hath deceived them, so that they commit fornication against their God.

My God shall cast them away, for they have not been obedient unto him, therefore shall they go astray among the Heathen.

Though I show them my law never so much, they count it but strange doctrine.

There will I give her, her vineyards again; yea, and the valley of Achor also, to show her hope and comfort. Then shall she sing there as in the time of her youth, and like as in the day when she came out of the land of Egypt.

I will sow them upon earth, for a seed to mine own self, and will have mercy upon her, that was without mercy. And to them which were not my people, I will say, 'Thou art my people.' And he shall say, 'Thou art my God.'"

Then will I make a covenant with them, with the wild beasts, with the fowls of the air, and with everything that creepeth upon the earth. As for bow, sword and battle, I will destroy such out of the land, and will make them to sleep safely.

Israel was a goodly vine, but he hath brought forth unprofitable fruit: yea, the more fruit he had the more altars he made; the more good I did to their land, the more friendship showed they to their Images.

What great things have I given thee, O Ephraim? How faithfully have I defended thee, O Israel? Have I dealt with thee as with Adam? Or have I entreated thee like Zeboim? No, my heart is otherwise minded. Yea, my mercy is to fervent:

Though thou, Israel, are disposed to play the harlot, yet shouldest not thou have offended, O Judah. Thou shouldest not have run to Gilgal, nor gone up to Bethaven, nor have sworn, 'The LORD liveth.'

Their drunkenness hath put them back, and brought them to whoredom. Their rulers love rewards; "Bring," say they, to their own shame.

Then shall they say, "We have no king. For why? We have not feared the LORD. And what shall then the king do to us?"

Yet are the princes of Judah become like them, that remove the landmarks: therefore will I pour out my wrath upon them like water.

therefore have I not turned me to destroy Ephraim in my wrathful displeasure. For I am God, and no man: I am even that holy one in the midst of thee, though I came not within the city.

I led them with cords of friendship, and with bands of love. I was even he, that laid the yoke upon their necks. I gave them their fodder myself,

Ephraim keepeth the air, and followeth after the east wind: he is ever increasing lies and destruction. They be confederate with the Assyrians, their oil is carried into Egypt.

I will go, and return to my place, till they wax faint, and seek me.

At the same time will I show myself friendly and gracious unto the heavens, sayeth the LORD: and the heavens shall help the earth,

Whereas they do sacrifice, offering the flesh and eating it, the LORD will have no pleasure therein: but will remember their wickedness, and punish their sins. Israel turneth again into Egypt:

Ephraim is like a dove, that is beguiled, and hath no heart. Now call they upon the Egyptians, now go they to the Assyrians:

And whereas Ephraim is become partaker of Idols: well, let him go.

Ephraim is oppressed, and can have no right of the law. For why? They follow the doctrines of men.

For I will take away those names of Baal from her mouth, yea she shall never remember their names any more.

Ephraim, as me think, is planted in wealthiness, like as Tyre, but now must she bring her own children forth to the manslayer.

but swearing, lying, manslaughter, theft, and adultery have gotten the overhand; and one bloodguiltiness followeth another.

He strove with the angel, and gat the victory: so that he prayed and desired him. He found him at Bethel, and there he talked with us.

I have spoken through the prophets, and showed divers visions, and declared myself by the ministration of the prophets.

The high places of Aven, where Israel do sin, shall be cast down: thistles and thorns shall grow upon their altars. Then shall they say to the mountains, "Cover us," and to the hills, "Fall upon us."

They call not upon me with their hearts, but lie howling upon their beds. Whereas they come together, it is but for meat and drink, and me will they not obey.

For Israel is gone back like a wanton cow. The LORD therefore shall make her feed, as the lamb that goeth astray.

In faith also will I marry thee, unto myself, and thou shalt know the LORD.

He took his brother by the heel, when he was yet in his mother's womb: and in his strength he wrestled with God.

The LORD hath a court to hold with Judah, and will punish Jacob: After their own ways and according to their own inventions, shall he recompense them.

The LORD roareth like a lion, that they may follow him. Yea, as a lion roareth he, that they may be afraid like the children of the sea:

Then turn to thy God, keep mercy and equity, and hope still in thy God.

They have sown wind, therefore shall they reap a whirlwind. Their seed shall bear no corn, there shall no meal be made of their increase: though they reap, yet shall strangers devour it up.

and the earth shall help the corn, wine, and oil, and they shall help Jezreel.

When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his disease: Ephraim went unto Assyria, and sent unto king Jareb: yet could not he help you, nor ease you of your pain.

Set the horn to thy mouth, and blow: get thee swiftly as an Eagle into the house of the LORD: for they have broken my covenant, and transgressed my law.

Jacob fled into the land of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

My people hath no lust to turn unto me, their prophets lay the yoke upon them, but they ease them not of their burden.

O LORD thou shalt give them: what shalt thou give them? Give them an unfruitful womb and dry breasts!

Their heart is divided, therefore will they be destroyed. The LORD shall break down their Images, he shall destroy their altars.

So he went, and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim: which conceived, and brought forth a son.

But the more they were called, the more they went back, offering unto Idols, and censing Images.

that they may be scattered away from Egypt, as men scare birds: and frayed away, as doves used to be, from the Assyrians' land: and that because I would have them tarry at home, sayeth the LORD.

But at Gilead is the abomination, they are fallen to vanity. At Gilgal they have slain oxen: and as many heaps of stones as they had in their land furrows, so many altars have they made.

Therefore shall the land be in a miserable cause, and all they that dwell therein, shall mourn. The beasts in the field, the fowls in the air, and the fishes in the sea shall die.

O Israel, thou hast sinned as Gibeah did afore time, where they remained: should not the battle then come upon the wicked children, as well as upon the Gibeonites?

I learned Ephraim to go, and bare them in mine arms, but they regarded not me that would have helped them.

Yet am I the LORD thy God, even as when I brought thee out of the land of Egypt, and set thee in thy tents, and as in the high feast days.

Ephraim thinketh thus, "Tush, I am rich, I have good enough: In all my works shall not one fault be found, that I have offended."

They commune together, and swear vain oaths: they be confederate together, therefore groweth their punishment, as the weeds in the furrows of the land.

Yea, the LORD God of hosts, even the LORD himself remembered him:

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, how shall I entreat thee? Seeing your love is like a morning cloud, and like a dew that goeth early away.

I am unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a lion's whelp to the house of Judah. Even I, I will spoil them, and go my way. I will take them with me, and no man shall rescue them.

Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as a caterpillar.

that they should not go again into Egypt. And now is Assyria their king: for they would not turn unto me.

It shall be brought to the Assyrians for a present unto king Jareb. Ephraim shall receive full punishment; Israel shall be confounded for his own imaginations;

O ye priests, hear this; take heed, O thou household of Israel; give ear, O thou kingly house. For this punishment will come upon you, that are become a snare unto Mizphah, and a spread net unto the mount of Tabor.

Yet is there none, that will chasten nor reprove another. The priests which should reform other men, are become like the people.

Therefore shall the sword begin in their cities, the store that they have laid up shall be destroyed and eaten up: and that because of their own imaginations.

Samaria with his king shall vanish away, as the scum upon the water.

A wind shall take hold of their feathers, and they shall be confounded in their offerings.

had not I defended him from the grave, and delivered him from death. O death, I will be thy death: O hell, I will be thy sting.

I will chasten them, even after mine own desire; the people shall be gathered together over them, when I punish them for their great wickedness.

So I gat her for fifteen silverlings, and for a homer and a half of barley,

and said unto her, "Thou shalt bide with me a long season, but see that thou playest not the harlot, and look thou meddle with none other man, and then will I keep myself for thee."

Therefore have I cut down the prophets, and let them be slain for my words' sake: so that thy punishment shall come to light.

This is the word of the LORD, that came unto Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah kings of Judah: and in the time of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel.

Do not thou triumph, O Israel; make no boasting more than the Heathen. For thou hast committed adultery against thy God: strange rewards hast thou loved, more than all the corn floors.

They have ordained kings, but not through me: they have made princes, and I must not know of it. Of their silver and gold have they made them images, to bring themselves to destruction.

I have taught them, and defended their army, yet do they imagine mischief against me.

When I undertake to make Israel whole, then the ungraciousness of Ephraim and the wickedness of Samaria cometh to light: then go they about with lies. At home, they be thieves: and without they fall to robbing.

Then shall we have understanding, and endeavor ourselves to know the LORD. He shall go forth as the spring of the day, and come unto us as the evening and morning rain upon the earth."

But the pride of Israel will be rewarded him in his face, yea both Israel and Ephraim shall fall for their wickedness, and Judah with them also.

Thy calf, O Samaria, shall be taken away, for my wrathful indignation is gone forth against thee. How long will it be, before they can be cleansed?

They turn themselves, but not aright, and are become as a broken bow. Their princes shall be slain with the sword for the malice of their tongues, such blasphemies have they learned in the land of Egypt.

They are not minded to turn unto their God, for they have an whorish heart, so that they cannot know the LORD.

I will heal their obedience and will love them of mine own accord: for my wrath is ceased from them.

I know Ephraim well enough, and Israel is not hid from me: for Ephraim is become a harlot, and Israel is defiled.

All these burn in adultery, as it were an oven that the baker heateth when he hath left kneading, till the dough be leavened.

Israel shall perish, the Gentiles shall entreat him as a foul vessel.

They kill sacrifices by heaps, to beguile the people therewith: therefore will I punish them all.

Be ye sure, O Israel: the time of visitation is come, the days of recompensing are at hand. As for the prophet, ye hold him for a fool; and him that is rich in the spirit, for a mad man: so great is your wickedness and malice.

And though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, which can neither be measured nor told: yet in the place where it is said unto them, 'Ye be not my people': even there shall it be thus reported of them, 'They be the children of the living God.'

For the calf came from Israel; the workman made it: therefore can it be no God, but even to a spider's web shall the calf of Samaria be turned.

Israel can say unto me, "Thou art my God, we know thee,"

that they might sow unto righteousness, and reap the fruits of well doing: that they might plow up their fresh land and seek the LORD, till he came, and learned them righteousness.

Take words with you and turn unto the Lord. And say unto him, "Remit all wickedness and given things, and we will pay thee openly

Even so goeth it this day with our kings and princes, for they begin to be wood drunken through wine: they use familiarity with such as deceive them.

but he hath refused the thing that is good: therefore shall the enemy follow upon him.

they are altogether as hot as an oven. They have devoured their own judges, all their kings are fallen: yet is there none of them that calleth upon me.

Turn Israel unto the LORD thy God: For thou art fallen for thy wickednesses' sake.

They consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. They go about with their own inventions, but I see them well enough.

They make the king and the princes, to have pleasure in their wickedness and lies.

They with the imagination of their heart are like an oven, their sleep is all night like the sleep of a baker, in the morning is he as hot as the flame of fire:

They be gone too far, and have destroyed themselves, like as they did afore time at Gibeah. Therefore their wickedness shall be remembered, and their sins punished.

I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: that thou shouldest know no God but me only, and that thou shouldest have no Saviour but only me.

He hath wounded us, and he shall bind us up again; after two days shall he quicken us, in the third day he shall raise us up, so that we shall live in his sight.

They will not dwell in the LORD's land, but Ephraim turneth again into Egypt, and eateth unclean things among the Assyrians.

Thus the children of Israel shall sit a great while without king and prince, without offering and alter, without priest and revelation.

Lo, they shall get them away for the destruction. Egypt shall receive them, and Memphis shall bury them. The nettles shall overgrow their pleasant goods, and burrs shall be in their tabernacles.

Ephraim hath made himself a watchman of my God, a prophet that is become a snare to do hurt in every street, and abomination in the house of his God.

Therefore shall they no more enjoy the corn floors and winepresses, and their sweet wine shall fail them.

They pour out no wine for a drink offering unto the LORD, neither give they him their slain offerings: but they be unto them as mourner's meats, wherein all they that eat them are defiled. For the bread that they have such lust unto, shall not come into the house of the LORD.

Who is wise to understand these things and hath wit to perceive them? For the ways of the LORD are straight, and the righteous shall walk in them: but the wicked shall tumble in them.

What will ye do then in the solemn days, and in the feast of the LORD?

I will be as dew to Israel, and he shall flourish as a lily, and stretch out his roots as Lebanon.

"Wherefore behold: I will call her again, bring her into a wilderness, and speak friendly unto her.

As for Samaria, they shall be made waste. And why? They are disobedient unto their God. They shall perish with the sword, their children shall be slain, and their women great with child shall be ripped up.

Ephraim, what have ye any more to do with idols? I have healed him and looked on him. I will be as a great fir tree, and of me shall thy fruit be found.

Thus will I marry thee unto mine own self forevermore: yea even to myself will I marry thee, in righteousness, in equity, in loving-kindness, and mercy.

I will come upon them as a she bear, that is robbed of her whelps, and I will break that stubborn heart of theirs. There will I devour them as a lion: yea the wild beast shall tear them.

Then, sayeth the LORD, she shall say unto me, 'O my husband,' and shall call me no more Baal.

Assyria shall not save us, neither will we ride on horses: neither will we say to the works of our own hands, 'Ye are our Gods,' for thou hast compassion on the friendless.

Then said the LORD to me, "Go yet thy way and vow an adulterous woman, whom thy neighbour loveth as the LORD doth the children of Israel: howbeit, they have respect to strange gods, and love the wine cans."

The abomination of Ephraim is come also into Israel. He is gone back to Baal, therefore must he die.

His branches shall run out, and as an olive tree shall his glory be, and his savour as Lebanon.

O Israel, thou doest but destroy thyself; In me only is thy help.

And now they sin more and more. Of their silver, they make them molten Images, like the idols of the Heathen, and yet all is nothing but the work of the craftsmen. Notwithstanding they preach of the same: whoso will kiss the calves, offereth to men.

They that shall turn and sit in his shadow, shall live with corn, and flourish as vines. His renown shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the dew that early passeth away, and like as dust that the wind taketh away from the floor, and as smoke that goeth out of the chimney.

Well, I gave thee a king in my wrath, and in my displeasure will I take him from thee again.

But when they were well fed and had enough, they waxed proud, and forgot me.

Therefore shall sorrows come upon him, as upon a woman that travaileth. An indiscreet son is he: for he considereth not, that he should not have been able to have endured in the time of his birth,

I took diligent heed of thee in the wilderness, that dry land.

Where are thy kings now, that shouldest help thee in all thy cities? Yea and thy judges, of whom thou sayest, "Give me a king and princes?"

Therefore will I be unto them as a lion, and as a leopard in the way to the Assyrians.

The wickedness of Ephraim is bound together, and his sin lieth hid.