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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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."

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:

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

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.

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

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,