Hosea 13:1-11 ▼

1 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel: but he trespassed through Baal, and he died.

2 And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

3 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing-floor, and as the smoke out of the lattice.

4 Yet I [am] Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou hast known no God but me; and there is no saviour besides me.

5 I knew thee in the wilderness, in the land of drought.

6 According to their pasture, they became full; they became full, and their heart was exalted: therefore have they forgotten me.

7 And I will be unto them as a lion; as a leopard I will lurk for them by the way;

8 I will meet them as a bear bereaved of her [whelps], and will rend the covering of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lioness: the beast of the field shall tear them.

9 It is thy destruction, O Israel, that [thou art] against me, against thy help.

10 Where then is thy king, that he may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? --

11 I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.