When a message from the LORD came to Hosea, the LORD told him, "Go marry a prostitute and have children with her, because the land is prostituting itself by departing from the LORD."

But I'll have mercy on the house of Judah, and I'll save them by the LORD their God I will not save them by the bow, by the sword, by battle, by horses, or by cavalry."

"Therefore I'll return and take back my grain at harvest time and my new wine in its season. I'll take back my wool and my flax that was to have covered her nakedness.

They will eat, but will not be satisfied. They will engage in prostitution, but they won't increase, because they have stopped listening to the LORD.

"Hear this, priests, pay attention, house of Israel, listen, royal family! For judgment is coming your way, because you have been a trap to Mizpah, a snare spread out on Mount Tabor.

I know Ephraim, and Israel cannot hide from me, since you, Ephraim, have been acting like a prostitute, defiling Israel.

They have been unfaithful to the LORD, having raised unbelieving children. In the coming month they will be devoured, along with their fields.

Ephraim will be desolate when it is rebuked. I have made known among the tribes of Israel what will surely come about.

The princes of Judah have become like those who move boundary markers: I will pour out my anger on them like water.

"But like Adam, they broke the covenant; in this they have acted deceitfully against me.

I have seen a horrible evil in the house of Israel Ephraim's promiscuity. Israel is defiled.

It never occurs to them that I remember all their sin. Now their actions have caught up with them, and they have my attention.

For they have stirred up themselves like an oven as they lie in ambush. Their baker sleeps through the night; in the morning, the oven will be blazing like a fire.

They all burn like an oven; they have consumed their judges; all their kings have fallen not even one of them calls on me.

Foreigners have consumed his strength, and he hasn't noticed. Furthermore, his head is sprinkled with gray hair, but he doesn't realize it.

Woe to them because they have run away from me. Ruin to them because they have sinned against me. Even though I redeemed them, they spread lies against me.

"Though I have taught them and strengthened their arms, nevertheless they plot evil against me.

Look! They have gone away because of the destruction Egypt will gather them up, and Memphis will bury them. Weeds will overgrow their inheritance, and thorns will grow in their tents.

They have corrupted themselves deeply, as did Gibeah in its day. Therefore God will remember their lawlessness, and he will pay them back for their sins.

From now on they will say, "We have no king, because we did not fear the LORD and what would a king do for us?'

"From the time of Gibeah, you have sinned, Israel; There they took their stand; the battle at Gibeah could not subdue the lawless.

You have plowed evil; you have reaped unrighteousness; you have eaten the fruit of hypocrisy; because you trusted in your own direction, and in the number of your mighty forces.

Ephraim claims, "I have become rich, I have made a fortune! Because of all my wealth, no one will find any iniquity or sin in me.'

"There's iniquity in Gilead, isn't there? They have become truly vain. They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal; their altars are like piles of stone in furrowed fields.

"I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt, and you have known no god except for me, because except for me there is no savior.

"You have destroyed yourself, Israel, although I remain your help.

"Return, Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have fallen due to your own iniquity.

"I will correct their apostasy, loving them freely, since my anger will have turned away from them.

"Ephraim, what have I in common with idols? I have listened and will pay attention to him. I am like a flourishing cypress; in me will your fruit be found."