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."

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.