Hosea 8
1 Set the cornet to thy mouth. [Let the enemy come] like the eagle against the house of the Lord: because they have transgressed my covenant, and against my law have they trespassed.
"Put the trumpet to your lips. Something like an eagle is over the LORD's house, because they have broken my covenant, and rebelled against my law.
2 To me will they then cry, My God, we, Israel, know thee.
They cry to me, 'My God, we Israel acknowledge you.'
3 [But] Israel did reject the good; so let the enemy pursue him.
Israel has cast off that which is good. The enemy will pursue him.
4 They set up kings, but not my advice: they chose princes and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made themselves idols so that they will be cut off.
They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I did not approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, that they may be cut off.
5 Thy calf, O Samaria, hath caused thy rejection; my anger is kindled against them: how long will it be that they cannot cleanse themselves?
Let Samaria throw out his calf idol. My anger burns against them. How long will it be until they are capable of purity?
6 For whom Israel did also that [idol] spring; an artisan made it, and no God is it: so then shall it become broken in splinters— that calf of Samaria.
For this is even from Israel. The workman made it, and it is no God; indeed, the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.
7 For the wind do they sow, and the whirlwind shall they reap: [their seed] bringeth no standing corn; the plant yieldeth no meal; but should it yield it, strangers would swallow it up.
For they sow the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind. He has no standing grain. The stalk will yield no head. If it does yield, strangers will swallow it up.
8 Swallowed up is Israel: now are they among the nations as a vessel without any value.
Israel is swallowed up. Now they are among the nations like a worthless thing.
9 For they are needs gone up to Assyria, they who like a wild ass should dwell alone: Ephraim spendeth lovers' gifts.
For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired lovers for himself.
10 But even though they should spend gifts among the nations, now will I gather them: and they shall be humbled a little through the burden of the king of princes.
But although they sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them; and they begin to waste away because of the oppression of the king of mighty ones.
11 Because Ephraim hath multiplied altars to sin, the altars have been unto him the means of sinning.
Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they became for him altars for sinning.
12 I ever wrote down for him the great things of my law; but as a strange thing are they accounted.
I wrote for him the many things of my law; but they were regarded as a strange thing.
13 My sacrificial offerings they slay as common flesh that they may eat it; the Lord accepteth them not in favor: now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins; they shall indeed return to Egypt.
As for the sacrifices of my offerings, they sacrifice flesh and eat it; But the LORD doesn't accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish their sins. They will return to Egypt, and will eat unclean things in Assyria.
14 For Israel forgot his Maker, and built palaces; and Judah multiplied fortified cities; but I will send a fire among his cities, and it shall devour their fine edifices.
For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces; and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; but I will send a fire on his cities, and it will devour its fortresses."
