Hosea 7 | New International Reader’s Version

1 I would like to heal Israel. But when I try to, Ephraim’s sins are brought out into the open. The crimes of Samaria are made known to everyone. The people tell lies. They break into houses and steal. They rob others in the streets. 2 But they do not realise that I remember all the evil things they do. Their sins pile up and cover them. I am always aware of their sins. 3 ‘Their evil conduct even makes the king glad. Their lies make the princes happy. 4 But all the people are unfaithful to the king. Their anger against him burns like the coals in an oven. The baker does not even need to stir up the fire until the dough is ready.’ 5 On special days to honour our king, the princes get drunk with wine. And the king enjoys the party. He joins hands with those who pretend to be faithful to him. 6 Their hearts are as hot as an oven. They make evil plans to get rid of him. Their anger burns like a slow fire all night. In the morning it blazes out like a flaming fire. 7 All of them are as hot as an oven. They destroy their rulers. All their kings fall from power. But none of them calls on the LORD for help. 8 The people of Ephraim mix with the nations. They are like a thin loaf of bread that is baked on only one side. 9 People from other lands make them weaker and weaker. But they don’t realise it. Their hair is becoming grey. But they don’t even notice it. 10 The pride of Israel proves that they are guilty. But in spite of everything, they don’t return to the LORD their God. They don’t go to him for help. 11 The LORD says, ‘The people of Ephraim are like a dove. They are easily tricked. They do not have any sense at all. First they call out to Egypt for help. Then they turn to Assyria. 12 When they send for help, I will throw my net over them. I will capture them like the birds in the sky. When I hear them gathering like birds, I will catch them. 13 How terrible it will be for them! They have wandered away from me. So they will be destroyed. That’s because they have refused to obey me. I long to save them. But they tell lies about me. 14 They do not cry out to me from their hearts. Instead, they just lie on their beds and sob. They cut themselves when they pray to their gods for corn and fresh wine. But they turn away from me. 15 I brought them up and made them strong. But they make evil plans against me. 16 I am the Most High God. But they do not turn to me. They are like a bow that does not shoot straight. Their leaders will be killed by swords. They will die because they have spoken too proudly. The people of Egypt will make fun of them.’

English Standard Version

1 when I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is revealed, and the evil deeds of Samaria, for they deal falsely; the thief breaks in, and the bandits raid outside. 2 But they do not consider that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds surround them; they are before my face. 3 By their evil they make the king glad, and the princes by their treachery. 4 They are all adulterers; they are like a heated oven whose baker ceases to stir the fire, from the kneading of the dough until it is leavened. 5 On the day of our king, the princes became sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with mockers. 6 For with hearts like an oven they approach their intrigue; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire. 7 All of them are hot as an oven, and they devour their rulers. All their kings have fallen, and none of them calls upon me. 8 Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned. 9 Strangers devour his strength, and he knows it not; gray hairs are sprinkled upon him, and he knows it not. 10 The pride of Israel testifies to his face;* yet they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him, for all this. 11 Ephraim is like a dove, silly and without sense, calling to Egypt, going to Assyria. 12 As they go, I will spread over them my net; I will bring them down like birds of the heavens; I will discipline them according to the report made to their congregation. 13 Woe to them, for they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against me. 14 They do not cry to me from the heart, but they wail upon their beds; for grain and wine they gash themselves; they rebel against me. 15 Although I trained and strengthened their arms, yet they devise evil against me. 16 They return, but not upward;* they are like a treacherous bow; their princes shall fall by the sword because of the insolence of their tongue. This shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.

Hosea 7 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version