Hosea 7
New Life Version
7 “Whenever I would heal Israel, I see the sin of Ephraim and the wrong-doing of Samaria. They are false in their ways. The robber breaks into houses, and sinful men rob in the streets. 2 They do not think about how I remember all the sinful things they do. Their sins are all around them, and are always before Me. 3 They make the king glad with their wrong-doing, and the leaders with their lies. 4 None of them are faithful. They are like a hot stove whose fire the bread-maker leaves alone from the time he makes the dough until the bread rises. 5 On the special day of our king the leaders became drunk with wine. He joined hands with those who laughed at the truth. 6 Their hearts are like a hot stove as they make their plans. Their anger smokes all night, and in the morning it burns like a hot fire. 7 All of them are hot like a stove, and they destroy their leaders. All their kings have fallen, and none of them calls to Me for help.
Israel Cannot Depend on the Nations
8 “Ephraim mixes with the nations. Ephraim is a cake not turned. 9 Strangers destroy his strength, yet he does not know it. White hairs come upon him, yet he does not know it. 10 Israel’s pride speaks against him, yet they do not return to the Lord their God. Even for all this, they do not look for Him. 11 Ephraim is like a foolish dove that is not able to think. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria. 12 When they go, I will spread My net over them. I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will punish them for the sinful things they have done. 13 It is bad for them, for they have turned away from Me! They will be destroyed, for they would not obey Me! I would save them and make them free, but they speak lies against Me. 14 They do not cry out to Me from their heart when they cry on their beds. They come together for grain and new wine, but turn away from Me. 15 I taught them and gave strength to their arms, yet they make sinful plans against Me. 16 They do not turn to the Most High. They are like a bow that does not work right. Their leaders will be killed by the sword because of their proud words. And those in the land of Egypt will laugh at them.
Hosea 7
King James Version
7 When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.
2 And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.
3 They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
4 They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.
5 In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.
6 For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.
7 They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.
8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
10 And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him for all this.
11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
12 When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
13 Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
14 And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.
15 Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.
16 They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.