Hosea 13

13 ¹ When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling he was exalted in Israel. But he became guilty through Baal and he died.

² And now they sin more and more, making molded idols for themselves silver images shaped by their own skill, all of them the work of craftsmen. To these they say, "Let those who sacrifice kiss the calves!" ³ Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the dew that fades early away, like chaff swirling from the threshing floor and like smoke from a window.

⁴ But I am your Father, who brought you from the land of Egypt you acknowledge no Father but me and besides me there is no savior. ⁵ It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of burning drought. ⁶ When I fed them they were satisfied they were satisfied and their heart grew proud therefore they forgot me. ⁷ So I have become like a lion to them like a leopard I lurk beside the road. ⁸ I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs I will tear open the covering of their heart. There I will devour them like a lion, as a wild beast would rip them apart.

No King Can Save You Now

⁹ Israel, you bring destruction on yourself by being against me against your helper. ¹⁰ Where now is your king, that he may save you in all your cities? Where are your rulers, of whom you said, "Give me a king and princes"? ¹¹ I gave you a king in my anger and in my wrath I took him away.

¹² The guilt of Ephraim is sealed away his sin is stored up. ¹³ The pangs of childbirth come for him but he is an unwise son for when the time arrives, he does not come out at the opening of the womb.

¹⁴ Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.

The Father's Wind Comes

¹⁵ Though he flourishes among the reeds, an east wind will come a wind of our Father rising from the wilderness. His spring will fail and his fountain run dry it will plunder his treasury of every precious thing. ¹⁶ Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her Father. They will fall by the sword their little ones will be dashed to pieces and their pregnant women ripped open.