Hosea 7

1 and to heal its wounds.

But then I see the crimes

in Israel*7.1 Israel: See the note at 4.17. Samaria was the capital city of Israel. and Samaria.

Everyone is deceitful;

robbers roam the streets.

2 No one realizes

that I have seen their sins

surround them like a flood.

3 The king and his officials

take great pleasure

in their sin and deceit.

4 Everyone burns with desire—

they are like coals in an oven,

ready to burst into flames.

5 On the day their king

was crowned,

his officials got him drunk,

and he joined

in their foolishness.*7.5 foolishness: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 5.

6 Their anger is a fire

that smolders all night,

then flares up at dawn.

7 They are flames

destroying their leaders.

And their kings are powerless;

none of them trust me.

8 The people of Israel*7.8 Israel: Hebrew "Ephraim" (see the note at 4.17).

have mixed with foreigners;

they are a thin piece of bread

scorched on one side.

9 They don’t seem to realize

how weak and feeble they are;

their hair has turned gray,

while foreigners rule.

10 I am the Lord, their God,

but in all of their troubles

their pride keeps them

from returning to me.

No Help from Foreign Nations

The Lord said:

11 Israel*7.11 Israel: Hebrew "Ephraim" (see the note at 4.17). is a senseless bird,

fluttering back and forth

between Egypt and Assyria.

12 But I will catch them in a net

as hunters trap birds;

I threatened to punish them,

and indeed I will.*7.12 I threatened … will: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

13 Trouble and destruction

will be their reward

for rejecting me.

I would have rescued them,

but they told me lies.

14 They don’t really pray to me;

they just howl in their beds.

They have rejected me for Baal

and slashed themselves,*7.14 slashed themselves: One ancient translation and some Hebrew manuscripts; other Hebrew manuscripts "gather together." Slashing themselves was one way of worshiping Baal (see 1 Kings 18.28).

in the hope that Baal

will bless their crops.

15 I taught them what they know,

and I made them strong.

Now they plot against me

16 and refuse to obey.*7.16 and … obey: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

They are more useless

than a crooked arrow.

Their leaders will die in war

for saying foolish things.

Egyptians will laugh at them.