Hosea 8

Thomson(i) 1 Because they have transgressed my covenant, and have sinned against my law, 2 will they cry to me, "God, we have known thee?" 3 Because Israel turned away good things they met with an enemy. 4 They made kings for themselves but not by me; they set up a government and did not consult me; of their silver and gold they made idols for themselves that they might be utterly cut off. 5 Away with thy calf, Samaria! my wrath is kindled against them. 6 How long shall things which cannot be made clean be in Israel? A carpenter made it; it is no God. Because thy calf, Samaria, was an imposture; 7 because they sowed blasted seed, therefore the catastrophe was correspondent; there is not a handful capable of yielding meal. And had it succeeded, strangers would have devoured it. 8 Israel is swallowed up; he is now among the nations like an useless vessel, 9 because he went up to the Assyrians. While Ephraim continued at home he sprouted again. They loved gifts, 10 therefore they shall be delivered up to the nations. I will now take charge of them, and they shall cease a little while from anointing a king and chiefs. 11 Because Ephraim multiplied altars for sins; altars were to him objects of love; 12 I will prescribe for him a multitude. Though his rites were devised for other purposes, the altars were objects of love. 13 For what purpose soever they offer sacrifices and eat flesh, the Lord will not accept them; he will now remember their iniquities and punish their sins. They turned back to Egypt, therefore among the Assyrians they shall eat unclean things. 14 Israel indeed forgot his Maker and built fanes, and Juda multiplied fenced cities; but into these cities of his I will send a fire, and it shall devour those buildings of theirs.