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Hosea1The LORD gave these messages to

Hosea son of Beeri during the yearswhen Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, andHezekiah were kings of Judah, andJeroboam son of Jehoash was king ofIsrael.2When the LORD first began speakingto Israel through Hosea, he said to him,"Go and marry a prostitute, so some ofher children will be born to you fromother men. This will illustrate the way mypeople have been untrue to me, openlycommitting adultery against the LORDby worshiping other gods."3So Hosea married Gomer, the daughterof Diblaim, and she became pregnantand gave Hosea a son.4And the LORD said, "Name the childJezreel, for I am about to punish KingJehu's dynasty to avenge the murdershe committed at Jezreel.5In fact, I will put an end to Israel'sindependence by breaking its militarypower in the Jezreel Valley."6Soon Gomer became pregnant againand gave birth to a daughter. And theLORD said to Hosea, "Name yourdaughter Lo-ruhamah--'Not loved'--for Iwill no longer show love to the people ofIsrael or forgive them.7But I, the LORD their God, will showlove to the people of Judah. I willpersonally free them from their enemieswithout any help from weapons orarmies."8After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah,she again became pregnant and gavebirth to a second son.9And the LORD said, "Name him Loammi--'Not my people'--for Israel is notmy people, and I am not their God.10Yet the time will come when Israel willprosper and become a great nation. Inthat day its people will be like the sandsof the seashore--too many to count!Then, at the place where they were told,'You are not my people,' it will be said,'You are children of the living God.'11Then the people of Judah and Israelwill unite under one leader, and they willreturn from exile together. What a daythat will be--the day of Jezreel --whenGod will again plant his people in hisland. In that day you will call yourbrothers Ammi--'My people.' And youwill call your sisters Ruhamah--'The

ones I love.'2"But now, call Israel to account, for sheis no longer my wife, and I am no longerher husband. Tell her to take off hergarish makeup and suggestive clothingand to stop playing the prostitute.3If she doesn't, I will strip her as nakedas she was on the day she was born. Iwill leave her to die of thirst, as in adesert or a dry and barren wilderness.4And I will not love her children as Iwould my own because they are not mychildren! They were conceived inadultery.5For their mother is a shamelessprostitute and became pregnant in ashameful way. She said, 'I'll run afterother lovers and sell myself to them forfood and drink, for clothing of wool andlinen, and for olive oil.'6"But I will fence her in with thornbushes.I will block the road to make her lose herway.7When she runs after her lovers, shewon't be able to catch up with them. Shewill search for them but not find them.Then she will think, 'I might as wellreturn to my husband because I wasbetter off with him than I am now.'8She doesn't realize that it was I whogave her everything she has--the grain,the wine, the olive oil. Even the gold andsilver she used in worshiping the godBaal were gifts from me!9"But now I will take back the wine andripened grain I generously providedeach harvest season. I will take awaythe linen and wool clothing I gave her tocover her nakedness.10I will strip her naked in public, while allher lovers look on. No one will be ableto rescue her from my hands.11I will put an end to her annual festivals,her new moon celebrations, and herSabbath days--all her appointedfestivals.12I will destroy her vineyards andorchards, things she claims her loversgave her. I will let them grow intotangled thickets, where only wildanimals will eat the fruit.13I will punish her for all the times shedeserted me, when she burned incenseto her images of Baal, put on herearrings and jewels, and went outlooking for her lovers," says the LORD.14"But then I will win her back onceagain. I will lead her out into the desertand speak tenderly to her there.15I will return her vineyards to her and

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transform the Valley of Trouble into agateway of hope. She will give herself tome there, as she did long ago when shewas young, when I freed her from hercaptivity in Egypt.16"In that coming day," says the LORD,"you will call me 'my husband' instead of'my master.'17O Israel, I will cause you to forget yourimages of Baal; even their names will nolonger be spoken.18At that time I will make a covenant withall the wild animals and the birds andthe animals that scurry along the groundso that they will not harm you. I willremove all weapons of war from theland, all swords and bows, so you canlive unafraid in peace and safety.19I will make you my wife forever,showing you righteousness and justice,unfailing love and compassion.20I will be faithful to you and make youmine, and you will finally know me asLORD.21"In that day," says the LORD, "I willanswer the pleading of the sky forclouds, which will pour down water onthe earth in answer to its cries for rain.22Then the earth will answer the thirstycries of the grain, the grapes, and theolive trees for moisture. And the wholegrand chorus will sing together,'Jezreel'--'God plants!'23"At that time I will plant a crop ofIsraelites and raise them for myself! Iwill show love to those I called 'Notloved.' And to those I called 'Not mypeople,' I will say, 'Now you are mypeople.' Then they will reply, 'You areour God!' "

3Then the LORD said to me, "Go and

get your wife again. Bring her back toyou and love her, even though she lovesadultery. For the LORD still loves Israeleven though the people have turned toother gods, offering them choice gifts. "2So I bought her back for fifteen piecesof silver and about five bushels of barleyand a measure of wine.3Then I said to her, "You must live in myhouse for many days and stop yourprostitution. During this time, you will nothave sexual intercourse with anyone,not even with me. "4This illustrates that Israel will be a longtime without a king or prince, andwithout sacrifices, temple, priests, oreven idols!

5But afterward the people will return tothe LORD their God and to David'sdescendant, their king. They will cometrembling in awe to the LORD, and theywill receive his good gifts in the lastdays.

4Hear the word of the LORD, O

people of Israel! The LORD has filed alawsuit against you, saying: "There is nofaithfulness, no kindness, no knowledgeof God in your land.2You curse and lie and kill and steal andcommit adultery. There is violenceeverywhere, with one murder afteranother.3That is why your land is not producing.It is filled with sadness, and all livingthings are becoming sick and dying.Even the animals, birds, and fish havebegun to disappear.4"Don't point your finger at someoneelse and try to pass the blame! Look,you priests, my complaint is with you!5As a sentence for your crimes, you willstumble in broad daylight, just as youmight at night, and so will your falseprophets. And I will destroy your mother,Israel.6My people are being destroyedbecause they don't know me. It is allyour fault, you priests, for youyourselves refuse to know me. Now Irefuse to recognize you as my priests.Since you have forgotten the laws ofyour God, I will forget to bless yourchildren.7The more priests there are, the morethey sin against me. They haveexchanged the glory of God for thedisgrace of idols.8"The priests get fed when the peoplesin and bring their sin offerings to them.So the priests are glad when the peoplesin!9'Like priests, like people'--since thepriests are wicked, the people arewicked, too. So now I will punish bothpriests and people for all their wickeddeeds.10They will eat and still be hungry.Though they do a big business asprostitutes, they will have no children,for they have deserted the LORD toworship other gods.11"Alcohol and prostitution have robbedmy people of their brains.12They are asking a piece of wood to tellthem what to do! They think a stick can

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tell them the future! Longing after idolshas made them foolish. They haveplayed the prostitute, serving other godsand deserting their God.13They offer sacrifices to idols on thetops of mountains. They go up into thehills to burn incense in the pleasantshade of oaks, poplars, and other trees."That is why your daughters turn toprostitution, and your daughters-in-lawcommit adultery.14Why should I punish them? For youmen are doing the same thing, sinningwith whores and shrine prostitutes. Ofoolish people! You will be destroyed, foryou refuse to understand.15"Though Israel is a prostitute, mayJudah avoid such guilt. O Judah, do notjoin with those who worship meinsincerely at Gilgal and at Beth-aven.Their worship is mere pretense as theytake oaths in the LORD's name.16Israel is as stubborn as a heifer, so theLORD will put her out to pasture. Shewill stand alone and unprotected, like ahelpless lamb in an open field.17Leave her alone because she ismarried to idolatry.18The men of Israel finish up theirdrinking bouts and off they go to findsome prostitutes. Their love for shameis greater than their love for honor.19So a mighty wind will sweep themaway. They will die in shame becausethey offer sacrifices to idols.

5"Hear this, you priests and all of

Israel's leaders! Listen, all you men ofthe royal family! These words ofjudgment are for you: You are doomed!For you have led the people into a snareby worshiping the idols at Mizpah andTabor.2You have dug a deep pit to trap them atAcacia. But never forget--I will settlewith all of you for what you have done.3I know what you are like, O Israel! Youhave left me as a prostitute leaves herhusband; you are utterly defiled.4Your deeds won't let you return to yourGod. You are a prostitute through andthrough, and you cannot know theLORD.5"The arrogance of Israel testifiesagainst her; she will stumble under herload of guilt. Judah, too, will fall with her.6Then at last, they will come with theirflocks and herds to offer sacrifices to theLORD. But it will be too late! They will

not find him, because he has withdrawnfrom them, and they are now alone.7For they have betrayed the honor of theLORD, bearing children that aren't his.Now their false religion will devour them,along with their wealth.8"Blow the ram's horn in Gibeah! Soundthe alarm in Ramah! Raise the battle cryin Beth-aven ! Lead on into battle, Owarriors of Benjamin!9One thing is certain, Israel : When yourday of punishment comes, you willbecome a heap of rubble.10"The leaders of Judah have becomeas bad as thieves. So I will pour myanger down on them like a waterfall.11The people of Israel will be crushedand broken by my judgment becausethey are determined to worship idols.12I will destroy Israel as a mothconsumes wool. I will sap Judah'sstrength as dry rot weakens wood.13"When Israel and Judah saw how sickthey were, Israel turned to Assyria, tothe great king there, but he could neitherhelp nor cure them.14I will tear at Israel and Judah as a lionrips apart its prey. I will carry them off,and there will be no one left to rescuethem.15Then I will return to my place until theyadmit their guilt and look to me for help.For as soon as trouble comes, they willsearch for me."

6"Come, let us return to the LORD! He

has torn us in pieces; now he will healus. He has injured us; now he willbandage our wounds.2In just a short time, he will restore us sowe can live in his presence.3Oh, that we might know the LORD! Letus press on to know him! Then he willrespond to us as surely as the arrival ofdawn or the coming of rains in earlyspring."4"O Israel and Judah, what should I dowith you?" asks the LORD. "For yourlove vanishes like the morning mist anddisappears like dew in the sunlight.5I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces.I have slaughtered you with my words,threatening you with death. Myjudgment will strike you as surely as dayfollows night.6I want you to be merciful; I don't wantyour sacrifices. I want you to know God;that's more important than burntofferings.

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7"But like Adam, you broke my covenantand rebelled against me.8Gilead is a city of sinners, tracked withfootprints of blood.9Its citizens are bands of robbers, lyingin ambush for their victims. Gangs ofpriests murder travelers along the roadto Shechem and practice every kind ofsin.10Yes, I have seen a horrible thing inIsrael: My people have defiledthemselves by chasing after other gods!11"O Judah, a harvest of punishment isalso waiting for you, though I wanted somuch to restore the fortunes of mypeople!

7"I wanted to heal Israel, but its sins

were far too great. Samaria is filled withliars, thieves, and bandits!2Its people don't realize I am watchingthem. Their sinful deeds are all aroundthem; I see them all!3The people make the king glad withtheir wickedness. The princes laughabout the people's many lies.4They are all adulterers, always aflamewith lust. They are like an oven that iskept hot even while the baker is stillkneading the dough.5"On royal holidays, the princes getdrunk. The king makes a fool of himselfand drinks with those who are makingfun of him.6Their hearts blaze like a furnace withintrigue. Their plot smolders through thenight, and in the morning it flames forthlike a raging fire.7They kill their kings one after another,and no one cries out to me for help.8"My people of Israel mingle withgodless foreigners, picking up their evilways. Now they have become asworthless as a half-baked cake!9Worshiping foreign gods has sappedtheir strength, but they don't even knowit. Israel is like an old man with grayinghair, unaware of how weak and old hehas become.10His arrogance testifies against him, yethe doesn't return to the LORD his Godor even try to find him.11"The people of Israel have become likesilly, witless doves, first calling to Egypt,then flying to Assyria.12But as they fly about, I will throw mynet over them and bring them down likea bird from the sky. I will punish them forall their evil ways.

13"How terrible it will be for my peoplewho have deserted me! Let them die, forthey have rebelled against me. I wantedto redeem them, but they have onlyspoken lies about me.14They do not cry out to me with sincerehearts. Instead, they sit on their couchesand wail. They cut themselves, beggingforeign gods for crops and prosperity.15"I trained them and made them strong,yet now they plot evil against me.16They look everywhere except toheaven, to the Most High. They are likea crooked bow that always misses itstarget. Their leaders will be killed bytheir enemies because of their insolencetoward me. Then the people of Egyptwill laugh at them.

8"Sound the alarm! The enemy

descends like an eagle on the people ofthe LORD, for they have broken mycovenant and revolted against my law.2Now Israel pleads with me, 'Help us, foryou are our God!'3But it is too late! The people of Israelhave rejected what is good, and nowtheir enemies will chase after them.4The people have appointed kings andprinces, but not with my consent. Bymaking idols for themselves from theirsilver and gold, they have brought abouttheir own destruction.5"O Samaria, I reject this calf--this idolyou have made. My fury burns againstyou. How long will you be incapable ofinnocence?6This calf you worship was crafted byyour own hands! It is not God! Therefore,it must be smashed to bits.7"They have planted the wind and willharvest the whirlwind. The stalks ofwheat wither, producing no grain. And ifthere is any grain, foreigners will eat it.8The people of Israel have beenswallowed up; they lie among thenations like an old pot that no one wants.9Like a wild donkey looking for a mate,they have gone up to Assyria. Thepeople of Israel have sold themselves tomany lovers.10But though they have sold themselvesto many lands, I will now gather themtogether. Then they will writhe under theburden of the great king!11"Israel has built many altars to takeaway sin, but these very altars becameplaces for sinning!12Even though I gave them all my laws,

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they act as if those laws don't apply tothem.13The people of Israel love their rituals ofsacrifice, but to me their sacrifices areall meaningless! I will call my people toaccount for their sins, and I will punishthem. They will go back down to Egypt.14"Israel has built great palaces, andJudah has fortified its cities. But theyhave both forgotten their Maker.Therefore, I will send down fire on theirpalaces and burn their fortresses."

9O people of Israel, do not rejoice as

others do. For you have been unfaithfulto your God, hiring yourselves out likeprostitutes, offering sacrifices to othergods on every threshing floor.2So now your harvests will be too smallto feed you. The grapes you gather willnot quench your thirst.3You may no longer stay here in thisland of the LORD. You will be carried offto Egypt and Assyria, where you will liveon food that is ceremonially unclean.4There, far from home, you will not beallowed to pour out wine as a sacrificeto the LORD. None of the sacrifices youoffer there will please him. Suchsacrifices will be unclean, just as foodtouched by a person in mourning isunclean. All who present such sacrificeswill be defiled. They may eat this food tofeed themselves, but they may not offerit to the LORD.5What then will you do on festival days?What will you do on days of feasting inthe LORD's presence?6Even if you escape destruction fromAssyria, you will be conquered by Egypt.Memphis will bury you. Briers will takeover your treasures of silver; brambleswill fill your homes.7The time of Israel's punishment hascome; the day of payment is almosthere. Soon Israel will know this all toowell. "The prophets are crazy!" thepeople shout. "The inspired men aremad!" So they taunt, for the nation isburdened with sin and shows onlyhatred for those who love God.8The prophet is a watchman for my Godover Israel, yet traps are laid in front ofhim wherever he goes. He faces hostilityeven in the house of God.9The things my people do are asdepraved as what they did in Gibeahlong ago. God will not forget. He willsurely punish them for their sins.

10The LORD says, "O Israel, when I firstfound you, it was like finding freshgrapes in the desert! When I saw yourancestors, it was like seeing the first ripefigs of the season! But then theydeserted me for Baal-peor, givingthemselves to that shameful idol. Soonthey became as vile as the god theyworshiped.11The glory of Israel will fly away like abird, for your children will die at birth orperish in the womb or never even beconceived.12Even if your children do survive togrow up, I will take them from you. It willbe a terrible day when I turn away andleave you alone.13I have watched Israel become asbeautiful and pleasant as Tyre. But nowIsrael will bring out her children to beslaughtered."14O LORD, what should I request foryour people? I will ask for wombs thatdon't give birth and breasts that give nomilk.15The LORD says, "All their wickednessbegan at Gilgal; there I began to hatethem. I will drive them from my landbecause of their evil actions. I will lovethem no more because all their leadersare rebels.16The people of Israel are stricken. Theirroots are dried up; they will bear nomore fruit. And if they give birth, I willslaughter their beloved children."17My God will reject the people of Israelbecause they will not listen or obey.They will be wanderers, homelessamong the nations.

10How prosperous Israel is--a

luxuriant vine loaded with fruit! But themore wealth the people got, the morethey poured it on the altars of theirforeign gods. The richer the harveststhey brought in, the more beautiful thestatues and idols they built.2The hearts of the people are fickle; theyare guilty and must be punished. TheLORD will break down their foreignaltars and smash their many idols.3Then they will say, "We have no kingbecause we didn't fear the LORD. Butwhat's the difference? What could a kingdo for us anyway?"4They spout empty words and makepromises they don't intend to keep. Soperverted justice springs up amongthem like poisonous weeds in a farmer's

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field.5The people of Samaria tremble for theircalf idol at Beth-aven. The peoplemourn over it, and the priests wail for it,because its glory will be stripped away.6This idol they love so much will becarted away with them when they go ascaptives to Assyria, a gift to the greatking there. Israel will be laughed at andshamed because its people have trustedin this idol.7Samaria will be cut off, and its king willdisappear like a chip of wood on anocean wave.8And the pagan shrines of Aven, theplace of Israel's sin, will crumble. Thornsand thistles will grow up around them.They will beg the mountains to burythem and the hills to fall on them.9The LORD says, "O Israel, ever sincethat awful night in Gibeah, there hasbeen only sin and more sin! You havemade no progress whatsoever. Was itnot right that the wicked men of Gibeahwere attacked?10Now I will attack you, too, for yourrebellion and disobedience. I will call outthe armies of the nations to punish youfor your multiplied sins.11"Israel is like a trained heiferaccustomed to treading out the grain--an easy job that she loves. Now I willput a heavy yoke on her tender neck. Iwill drive her in front of the plow. Israeland Judah must now break up the hardground; their days of ease are gone.12I said, 'Plant the good seeds ofrighteousness, and you will harvest acrop of my love. Plow up the hardground of your hearts, for now is thetime to seek the LORD, that he maycome and shower righteousness uponyou.'13"But you have cultivated wickednessand raised a thriving crop of sins. Youhave eaten the fruit of lies--trusting inyour military might, believing that greatarmies could make your nation safe!14Now the terrors of war will rise amongyour people. All your fortifications will fall,just as they did when Shalmandestroyed Beth-arbel. Even mothers andchildren were dashed to death there.15You will share that fate, Bethel,because of your great wickedness.When the day of judgment dawns, theking of Israel will be completelydestroyed.

11"When Israel was a child, I loved

him as a son, and I called my son out ofEgypt.2But the more I called to him, the morehe rebelled, offering sacrifices to theimages of Baal and burning incense toidols.3It was I who taught Israel how to walk,leading him along by the hand. But hedoesn't know or even care that it was Iwho took care of him.4I led Israel along with my ropes ofkindness and love. I lifted the yoke fromhis neck, and I myself stooped to feedhim.5"But since my people refuse to return tome, they will go back to Egypt and willbe forced to serve Assyria.6War will swirl through their cities; theirenemies will crash through their gatesand destroy them, trapping them in theirown evil plans.7For my people are determined to desertme. They call me the Most High, butthey don't truly honor me.8"Oh, how can I give you up, Israel?How can I let you go? How can I destroyyou like Admah and Zeboiim? My heartis torn within me, and my compassionoverflows.9No, I will not punish you as much as myburning anger tells me to. I will notcompletely destroy Israel, for I am Godand not a mere mortal. I am the HolyOne living among you, and I will notcome to destroy.10"For someday the people will followthe LORD. I will roar like a lion, and mypeople will return trembling from thewest.11Like a flock of birds, they will comefrom Egypt. Flying like doves, they willreturn from Assyria. And I will bringthem home again," says the LORD.12Israel surrounds me with lies anddeceit, but Judah still walks with Godand is faithful to the Holy One.

12The people of Israel feed on the

wind; they chase after the east wind allday long. They multiply lies andviolence; they make alliances withAssyria and cut deals with the Egyptians.2Now the LORD is bringing a lawsuitagainst Judah. He is about to punishJacob for all his deceitful ways.3Before Jacob was born, he struggledwith his brother; when he became a

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man, he even fought with God.4Yes, he wrestled with the angel andwon. He wept and pleaded for ablessing from him. There at Bethel hemet God face to face, and God spoke tohim --5the LORD God Almighty, the LORD ishis name!6So now, come back to your God! Act onthe principles of love and justice, andalways live in confident dependence onyour God.7But no, the people are like craftymerchants selling from dishonestscales--they love to cheat.8Israel boasts, "I am rich, and I've gottenit all by myself! No one can say I got itby cheating! My record is spotless!"9"I am the LORD your God, whorescued you from your slavery in Egypt.And I will make you live in tents again,as you do each year when you celebratethe Festival of Shelters.10I sent my prophets to warn you withmany visions and parables."11But Gilead is filled with sinners whoworship idols. And in Gilgal, too, theysacrifice bulls; their altars are lined uplike the heaps of stone along the edgesof a plowed field.12Jacob fled to the land of Aram andearned a wife by tending sheep.13Then the LORD led Jacob'sdescendants, the Israelites, out of Egyptby a prophet, who guided and protectedthem.14But the people of Israel have bitterlyprovoked the LORD, so their Lord willnow sentence them to death in paymentfor their sins.

13In the past when the tribe of

Ephraim spoke, the people shook withfear because the other Israelite tribeslooked up to them. But the people ofEphraim sinned by worshiping Baal andthus sealed their destruction.2Now they keep on sinning by makingsilver idols to worship--images shapedskillfully with human hands. "Sacrifice tothese," they cry, "and kiss the calf idols!"3Therefore, they will disappear like themorning mist, like dew in the morningsun, like chaff blown by the wind, likesmoke from a chimney.4"I am the LORD your God, whorescued you from your slavery in Egypt.You have no God but me, for there is noother savior.

5I took care of you in the wilderness, inthat dry and thirsty land.6But when you had eaten and weresatisfied, then you became proud andforgot me.7So now I will attack you like a lion, orlike a leopard that lurks along the road.8I will rip you to pieces like a bear whosecubs have been taken away. I will tearyou apart and devour you like a hungrylion.9"You are about to be destroyed, OIsrael, though I am your helper.10Where now is your king? Why don'tyou call on him for help? Where are allthe leaders of the land? You asked forthem, now let them save you!11In my anger I gave you kings, and inmy fury I took them away.12"The sins of Ephraim have beencollected and stored away forpunishment.13The people have been offered newbirth, but they are like a child whoresists being born. How stubborn theyare! How foolish!14Should I ransom them from the grave?Should I redeem them from death? Odeath, bring forth your terrors! O grave,bring forth your plagues! For I will notrelent!15Ephraim was the most fruitful of all hisbrothers, but the east wind--a blast fromthe LORD--will arise in the desert. It willblow hard against the people of Ephraim,drying up their land. All their flowingsprings and wells will disappear. Everyprecious thing they have will beplundered and carried away.16The people of Samaria must bear theconsequences of their guilt becausethey rebelled against their God. Theywill be killed by an invading army, theirlittle ones dashed to death against theground, their pregnant women rippedopen by swords."

14Return, O Israel, to the LORD

your God, for your sins have broughtyou down.2Bring your petitions, and return to theLORD. Say to him, "Forgive all our sinsand graciously receive us, so that wemay offer you the sacrifice of praise.3Assyria cannot save us, nor can ourstrength in battle. Never again will wecall the idols we have made 'our gods.'No, in you alone do the orphans findmercy."

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4The LORD says, "Then I will heal youof your idolatry and faithlessness, andmy love will know no bounds, for myanger will be gone forever!5I will be to Israel like a refreshing dewfrom heaven. It will blossom like the lily;it will send roots deep into the soil likethe cedars in Lebanon.6Its branches will spread out like thoseof beautiful olive trees, as fragrant asthe cedar forests of Lebanon.7My people will return again to the safetyof their land. They will flourish like grainand blossom like grapevines. They willbe as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.8"O Israel, stay away from idols! I amthe one who looks after you and caresfor you. I am like a tree that is alwaysgreen, giving my fruit to you all throughthe year."9Let those who are wise understandthese things. Let those who arediscerning listen carefully. The paths ofthe LORD are true and right, andrighteous people live by walking in them.But sinners stumble and fall along the way.