1O Israel, do not rejoice jubilantly like the nations, for you are unfaithful to your God. You love to receive a prostitute\'s wages on all the floors where you thresh your grain.
4They will not pour out drink offerings of wine to the LORD; they will not please him with their sacrifices. Their sacrifices will be like bread eaten while in mourning; all those who eat them will make themselves ritually unclean. For their bread will be only to satisfy their appetite; it will not come into the temple of the LORD.
6Look! Even if they flee from the destruction, Egypt will take hold of them, and Memphis will bury them. The weeds will inherit the silver they treasure--thorn bushes will occupy their homes.
7The time of judgment is about to arrive! The time of retribution is imminent! Let Israel know! Israel Rejects Hosea's Prophetic Exhortations The prophet is considered a fool--the inspired man is viewed as a madman--because of the multitude of your sins and your intense animosity.
8The prophet is a watchman over Ephraim on behalf of God, yet traps are laid for him along all of his paths; animosity rages against him in the land of his God.
10When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the wilderness. I viewed your ancestors like an early fig on a fig tree in its first season. Then they came to Baal-Peor and they dedicated themselves to shame--they became as detestable as what they loved.
15Because of all their evil in Gilgal, I hate them there. On account of their evil deeds, I will drive them out of my land. I will no longer love them; all their rulers are rebels.
16Ephraim will be struck down--their root will be dried up; they will not yield any fruit. Even if they do bear children, I will kill their precious offspring.
