Hosea 5

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

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1Hear this, priests! Pay attention, house of Israel! Listen, royal house! For the judgment applies to you because you have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread out on Tabor.

2Rebels are deeply involved in slaughter; I will be a punishment for all of them.

3I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, Ephraim, you have acted promiscuously; Israel is defiled.

4Their actions do not allow [them] to return to their God, for a spirit of promiscuity is among them, and they do not know the LORD.

5Israel's arrogance testifies against them. Both Israel and Ephraim stumble because of their wickedness; even Judah will stumble with them.

6They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD but do not find [Him]; He has withdrawn from them.

7They betrayed the LORD; indeed, they gave birth to illegitimate children. Now the New Moon will devour them along with their fields.

8Blow the horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the war cry in Beth-aven: After you, Benjamin!

9Ephraim will become a desolation on the day of punishment; I announce what is certain among the tribes of Israel.

10The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers; I will pour out My fury on them like water.

11Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, for he is determined to follow what is worthless.

12So I am like rot to Ephraim and like decay to the house of Judah.

13When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, Ephraim went to Assyria and sent [a delegation] to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.

14For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. Yes, I will tear [them] to pieces and depart. I will carry [them] off, and no one can rescue [them].

15I will depart and return to My place until they recognize their guilt and seek My face; they will search for Me in their distress.

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