Hosea 13

When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

1Long ago, when Ephraim spoke, people shook with fear. He was important in Israel. But he did wrong by worshiping Baal, a false god. So he died.

NoteEphraim was the largest family group in the northern part of Israel. The name is used here for that whole northern kingdom.

2And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

2Now they sin more and more. They melt their silver and make statues of gods. Skilled workers make every one of them. People say about them, "Those who bring offerings kiss the calf statues."

3Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

3So they will be like morning fog. They will be like early dew that dries up fast. They will be like chaff the wind blows off the threshing floor. They will be like smoke drifting out a window.

NoteA threshing floor was a flat place where grain was beaten to loosen it. Chaff is the light, useless part that the wind blows away.

4Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

4But I am the LORD your God. I have been your God ever since Egypt. You know no God but me. No one else can save you.

5I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

5I took care of you in the desert, in that very dry land.

6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

6I gave them good grass, and they ate until they were full. Then their hearts grew proud. And so they forgot me.

7Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:

7So I will come at them like a lion. Like a leopard I will wait beside the road.

8I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

8I will attack like a mother bear whose cubs are gone. I will tear their chests open. I will eat them there like a lion. A wild animal will rip them apart.

9O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.

9Israel, you have ruined yourself. Your help was always with me.

10I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?

10Where is your king now to save you in all your towns? Where are the leaders you asked for? You said, "Give me a king and princes."

11I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.

11I gave you a king because I was angry. I took him away because I was angry.

12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.

12Ephraim's wrongdoing is tied up and kept. His sin is stored away and not forgotten.

13The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.

13Pain comes to him, like a woman having a baby. But he is a foolish son. When the time comes, he does not come out to be born.

14I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

14I will pay to set them free from the grave. I will save them from death. Death, I will be the sickness that kills you. Grave, I will be the one who destroys you. I will not change my mind or feel pity.

NoteIn 1611 English, "repentance" here meant changing your mind or feeling pity. It does not mean being sorry for sin.

15Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

15Ephraim grows well among his brothers. But a hot east wind will come. It is a wind from the LORD, blowing in from the desert. His well will dry up. His spring will stop flowing. Every treasure he has stored will be taken away.

16Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.

16Samaria will be left empty, because she turned against her God. Her people will die by the sword. Their little children will be killed. Women who are going to have babies will be cut open.