Hosea 13:7-16 ▼

7 So I will be like a lion to them; Like a leopard I will lie in wait by the wayside.

8 I will confront them like a bear deprived of her cubs, And I will tear open their chests; I will also devour them there like a lioness, As a wild animal would tear them to pieces.

9 It is to your own destruction, Israel, That you are against Me, against your help.

10 Where then is your king, That he might save you in all your cities; And your judges, to whom you said, “Give me a king and princes”?

11 I gave you a king in My anger, And took him away in My wrath.

12 The guilt of Ephraim is wrapped up; His sin is stored up.

13 The pains of childbirth come on him; He is not a wise son, For it is not the time that he should delay 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 thorns? Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight.

15 Though he flourishes among the reeds, An east wind will come, The wind of the LORD coming up from the wilderness; And his fountain will become dry And his spring will dry up; It will plunder his treasury of every precious article.

16 Samaria will pay the penalty for her guilt, Because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword, Their children will be slaughtered, And their pregnant women will be ripped open.