I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Prophet and His Times
1The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
1This is the message the LORD gave to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel.
A Marriage Ordered as a Sign
2The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
2When the LORD first began speaking through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go and marry a woman who will be unfaithful to you, and have children by her, because this land has been terribly unfaithful to me, turning its back on the LORD."
3So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.
3So Hosea went and married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. She became pregnant and gave him a son.
Jezreel
4And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
4The LORD said to him, "Name him Jezreel, because before long I will punish the family of Jehu for the blood he shed at Jezreel, and I will bring the kingdom of Israel to an end.
5And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.
5On that day I will break Israel's bow in the valley of Jezreel."
Not Pitied
6And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
6Gomer became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. God said to Hosea, "Name her Lo-ruhamah, which means 'not loved,' because I will no longer show love to the people of Israel; I will take them away altogether.
7But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
7But I will show love to the people of Judah. I, the LORD their God, will rescue them, and not with bows or swords or battles, not with horses or horsemen."
Not My People
8Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
8After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son.
9Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
9Then God said, "Name him Lo-ammi, which means 'not my people,' because you are not my people, and I will not be your God.
As the Sand of the Sea
10Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
10Yet the people of Israel will one day be like the sand on the seashore, too much to measure or count. And in the very place where they were told, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'children of the living God.'
11Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
11Then the people of Judah and the people of Israel will be gathered together under one leader, and they will rise up out of the land, because the day of Jezreel will be a great day."
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Ammi and Ruhamah
1Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
1"Call your brothers Ammi, 'my people,' and call your sisters Ruhamah, 'loved.'
The Case Against the Mother
2Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
2Confront your mother; confront her, because she is not my wife, and I am not her husband. Tell her to wipe the unfaithfulness from her face and the adultery from between her breasts.
3Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.
3If she does not, I will strip her bare and leave her as naked as the day she was born. I will make her like a desert, turn her into parched ground, and let her die of thirst.
4And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.
4I will not show love to her children, because they are the children of unfaithfulness.
5For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
5Their mother has been unfaithful; the one who bore them has behaved shamefully. She said, 'I will run after my lovers, who give me my food and water, my wool and linen, my oil and my wine.'
Hedged About With Thorns
6Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
6So I am going to block her path with thornbushes and wall her in, so that she cannot find her way.
7And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.
7She will chase her lovers but never catch them; she will look for them but never find them. Then she will say, 'I will go back to my first husband, because life was better for me then than it is now.'
8For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.
8She never realized that I was the one who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who gave her all the silver and gold that she used for Baal.
Taking Back the Gifts
9Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.
9So I will take back my grain when it ripens and my wine when it is ready; I will take away my wool and my linen that she used to cover her nakedness.
10And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.
10Now I will expose her shame in front of her lovers, and no one will be able to rescue her from my hand.
11I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.
11I will put an end to all her celebrations: her yearly feasts, her new moon festivals, her Sabbaths, and all her appointed holy days.
12And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These are my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.
12I will ruin her vines and her fig trees, the ones she called the wages her lovers paid her. I will turn them into a thicket, and wild animals will eat them.
13And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.
13I will punish her for all the days she burned incense to the Baals, when she dressed up in her earrings and jewelry and went off after her lovers, and forgot all about me," says the LORD.
Into the Wilderness Again
14Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
14"But then I will win her back. I will lead her out into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.
15And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
15There I will give her back her vineyards, and I will turn the valley of Achor into a gateway of hope. There she will sing as she did when she was young, as she did on the day she came up out of Egypt.
Betrothed Forever
16And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.
16On that day," says the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband,' and you will never again call me 'my master.'
17For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.
17I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips, and their names will never be spoken again.
18And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
18On that day I will make a covenant for my people with the wild animals, the birds of the sky, and the creatures that crawl on the ground. I will rid the land of bows and swords and war, so that my people can lie down in safety.
19And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
19I will make you my bride forever. I will make you my bride with righteousness and justice, with steadfast love and compassion.
20I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.
20I will make you my bride in faithfulness, and you will truly know the LORD.
Jezreel Sown in the Land
21And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;
21On that day I will answer," says the LORD. "I will answer the skies, and the skies will answer the earth;
22And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.
22the earth will answer the grain, the wine, and the oil, and they will answer Jezreel.
23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
23I will plant her in the land as my own. I will show love to the one called 'not loved,' and I will say to those called 'not my people,' 'You are my people,' and they will say, 'You are my God.'"
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Bought Back for Silver and Barley
1Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.
1Then the LORD said to me, "Go again and love your wife, even though she is loved by another man and has been unfaithful. Love her the way the LORD loves the people of Israel, even though they turn to other gods and love their raisin cakes."
2So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:
2So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and about ten bushels of barley.
3And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.
3And I told her, "You must live with me for a long time. You must not be unfaithful or belong to any other man, and I will be faithful to you too."
Many Days Without a King
4For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:
4In the same way, the people of Israel will live for a long time without a king or a prince, without sacrifices or sacred stones, without a priestly vest or household idols.
5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
5After that, the people of Israel will come back and seek the LORD their God and David their king. In the last days they will come trembling to the LORD and to his goodness.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The LORD Has a Controversy
1Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
1Hear the word of the LORD, people of Israel, because the LORD has a case against everyone who lives in this land: "There is no faithfulness, no kindness, and no knowledge of God in the land.
2By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
2There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery. They break every limit, and one killing follows another.
3Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
3That is why the land is in mourning and everyone who lives in it is wasting away, along with the wild animals and the birds of the sky; even the fish in the sea are disappearing.
Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge
4Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.
4But let no one bring a charge or accuse anyone else, because my complaint is with you, priests, for your people are like those who argue with a priest.
5Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.
5So you will stumble in the daytime, and the prophet will stumble with you at night, and I will destroy your mother.
6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
6My people are being destroyed because they lack knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you as my priest. Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will forget your children too.
Like People, Like Priest
7As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.
7The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; I will turn their honor into disgrace.
8They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
8They feed on the sins of my people and are greedy for their wrongdoing.
9And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
9So it will be: as the people go, so goes the priest. I will punish them for the way they live and pay them back for what they have done.
10For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.
10They will eat but never be full; they will be unfaithful but never grow in number, because they have stopped paying attention to the LORD.
Wooden Oracles and Hilltop Shrines
11Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
11Unfaithfulness, old wine, and new wine steal a person's good sense.
12My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
12My people ask a block of wood for advice, and a stick gives them their answers, because a spirit of unfaithfulness has led them astray; they have left their God to chase other gods.
13They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.
13They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops and burn incense on the hills, under the oaks, poplars, and terebinths, because the shade is pleasant. That is why your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.
14I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.
14I will not punish your daughters for their prostitution or your daughters-in-law for their adultery, because the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with the shrine women. A people with no understanding will come to ruin.
Let Judah Not Follow
15Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.
15Israel, even though you are unfaithful, do not let Judah become guilty too. Do not go to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear, 'As surely as the LORD lives.'
16For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
16Israel is as stubborn as a stubborn heifer; how then can the LORD pasture them like lambs in a wide meadow?
17Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
17Ephraim is wedded to idols. Leave him alone!
18Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.
18When their drinking is over, they go on being unfaithful; their rulers dearly love their shameful ways.
19The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.
19A whirlwind will sweep them away in its wings, and their sacrifices will bring them nothing but shame."
V
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Hear This, Priests and King
1Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
1"Listen to this, you priests! Pay attention, people of Israel! Give ear, royal household! This judgment is against you, because you have been a trap at Mizpah and a net spread out on Mount Tabor.
2And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.
2The rebels have gone deep into slaughter, though I have warned every one of them.
3I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.
3I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me. Right now, Ephraim, you are being unfaithful, and Israel has made itself unclean.
4They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.
4Their deeds will not let them turn back to their God, because a spirit of unfaithfulness lives among them, and they do not know the LORD.
Seeking and Not Finding
5And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.
5Israel's pride testifies against them; Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their guilt, and Judah will stumble with them.
6They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.
6They will go looking for the LORD with their flocks and herds, but they will not find him; he has withdrawn from them.
7They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.
7They have betrayed the LORD by fathering children who are not his. Now a single month will devour them and their fields."
The War Horn at Gibeah
8Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.
8"Sound the ram's horn in Gibeah and the trumpet in Ramah! Raise the alarm at Beth-aven: 'Look behind you, Benjamin!'
9Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.
9Ephraim will be left in ruins on the day of punishment. Among the tribes of Israel I announce what is certain to happen.
10The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
10The leaders of Judah are like men who move boundary markers; I will pour out my fury on them like a flood of water.
11Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
11Ephraim is crushed, broken by judgment, because he was determined to run after worthless things.
Moth, Rot, and Lion
12Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
12So I will be like a moth to Ephraim and like rot to the people of Judah.
13When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
13When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah saw his wound, Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to the great king for help. But he cannot heal you or cure your wound.
14For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
14I will be like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the people of Judah. I myself will tear them to pieces and go away; I will carry them off, and no one will be able to rescue them.
15I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
15Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt and seek my face. In their misery they will search for me eagerly."
VI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Come, Let Us Return
1Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
1"Come, let us go back to the LORD. He has torn us, but he will heal us; he has struck us down, but he will bandage our wounds.
2After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
2After two days he will bring us back to life; on the third day he will raise us up so that we can live in his presence.
3Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
3Let us know the LORD; let us press on to know him. His coming is as sure as the sunrise; he will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth."
Your Goodness Is a Morning Cloud
4O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
4"What am I going to do with you, Ephraim? What am I going to do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.
5Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
5That is why I have cut you down through the prophets and killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flash out like lightning.
6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
6For I want steadfast love, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Blood at Adam, Shechem, and Gilead
7But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
7But like Adam, they have broken the covenant; there they were unfaithful to me.
8Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
8Gilead is a city of evildoers, stained with bloody footprints.
9And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
9Like bandits lying in wait for a traveler, gangs of priests commit murder on the road to Shechem; they carry out their wicked schemes.
10I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
10I have seen something horrible in the house of Israel: there Ephraim is unfaithful, and Israel is made unclean.
11Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.
11And for you too, Judah, a harvest is appointed, whenever I restore the fortunes of my people."
VII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
When I Would Have Healed Israel
1When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.
1"Whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim come to light, along with the crimes of Samaria. They practice deceit; thieves break into houses, and gangs of robbers strip people in the streets.
2And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.
2They never stop to think that I remember all their evil. Now their own deeds surround them; they are right in front of my face.
The Oven and the Palace
3They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
3They make the king glad with their wickedness and the princes with their lies.
4They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.
4They are all adulterers, burning like an oven whose baker does not need to stir the fire from the time he kneads the dough until it has risen.
5In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.
5On the king's festival day the princes get sick from the heat of wine, and he joins hands with those who mock.
6For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.
6Their hearts are like an oven as they scheme; all night long their anger smolders, and in the morning it blazes up like a roaring fire.
7They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.
7All of them are as hot as an oven; they devour their rulers. All their kings have fallen, and not one of them calls out to me.
A Cake Not Turned
8Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
8Ephraim mixes himself up with the other nations; Ephraim is a flat cake that no one turned over.
9Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
9Foreigners have eaten away his strength, but he does not know it. His hair is turning gray, but he does not notice.
10And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.
10Israel's pride testifies against him, yet they do not return to the LORD their God or look for him, in spite of all this.
A Silly Dove
11Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
11Ephraim is like a silly dove with no sense: they call out to Egypt, then they fly to Assyria.
12When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
12When they go, I will throw my net over them; I will bring them down like birds out of the sky. I will discipline them, just as their assembly has heard me warn.
13Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
13How terrible for them, because they have run away from me! Ruin is coming to them, because they have rebelled against me! I wanted to redeem them, but they tell lies about me.
Howling on Their Beds
14And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.
14They do not cry out to me from their hearts; instead they wail on their beds. They gather together for grain and wine, and they turn away from me.
15Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.
15I trained them and made their arms strong, yet they plot evil against me.
16They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
16They turn, but not to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent tongues, and for this they will be laughed at in the land of Egypt."
VIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Eagle Over the House of the LORD
1Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.
1"Put the trumpet to your lips! An enemy swoops down like an eagle on the house of the LORD, because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law.
2Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee.
2Israel cries out to me, 'My God, we know you!'
3Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.
3But Israel has thrown away what is good, so the enemy will hunt him down.
Kings Not Chosen, Calves Not Gods
4They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
4They set up kings, but not with my approval; they chose princes, but I was never consulted. With their silver and gold they made idols for themselves, to their own destruction.
5Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?
5Throw out your calf idol, Samaria! My anger burns against these people. How long will it be before they can be clean?
6For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.
6That calf came from Israel; a craftsman made it, so it is not God. The calf of Samaria will be smashed to pieces.
Sowing Wind, Reaping Whirlwind
7For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
7They plant the wind and harvest the whirlwind. The stalk of grain has no head; it will produce no flour, and if it did, foreigners would swallow it up.
8Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
8Israel is swallowed up; now they sit among the nations like a pot nobody wants.
Hired Lovers Among the Nations
9For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
9They have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering off on its own; Ephraim has hired lovers for itself.
10Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.
10But even though they have hired allies among the nations, I will now gather them up, and they will soon writhe under the burden of the king of princes.
Altars for Sinning, Fire on the Cities
11Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.
11Ephraim built many altars to take away sin, but the altars have become places for sinning.
12I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.
12I wrote out for him the many teachings of my law, but he treated them as something foreign.
13They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.
13They offer sacrifices as gifts to me and eat the meat, but the LORD is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their guilt and punish their sins; they will go back to Egypt.
14For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
14Israel has forgotten his Maker and builds palaces; Judah has built many fortified cities. But I will send fire on their cities, and it will burn up their strongholds."
IX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
No Joy at the Threshing Floor
1Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.
1Do not celebrate, Israel; do not rejoice the way other nations do, for you have been unfaithful to your God. You have loved a prostitute's pay on every threshing floor.
2The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.
2The threshing floor and the winepress will not feed them, and the new wine will run out on her.
3They shall not dwell in the LORD’s land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.
3They will not stay in the LORD's land. Ephraim will go back to Egypt, and in Assyria they will eat food that is unclean.
4They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.
4They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD, and their sacrifices will not please him. Their sacrifices will be to them like the bread of mourners: everyone who eats it will be defiled. Their bread will only fill their own stomachs; it will not come into the house of the LORD.
What Will You Do on the Feast Day
5What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?
5What will you do on the appointed day, on the day of the LORD's feast?
6For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.
6For look, they have gone away because of the destruction. Egypt will gather them up, and Memphis will bury them. Nettles will take over their treasured things of silver, and thorns will grow in their tents.
The Prophet Called a Fool
7The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
7The days of punishment have come; the days of payback have come, and Israel will know it. "The prophet is a fool; the man of the spirit is out of his mind," they say, because of the greatness of your sin and the great hostility.
8The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.
8The watchman of Ephraim stood with my God, but now the prophet is a bird-catcher's trap on every path he takes, and there is hostility in the house of his God.
9They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.
9They have sunk deep into corruption, as in the days of Gibeah. So he will remember their wrongdoing and punish their sins.
Grapes in the Wilderness, and Baal-peor
10I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
10"I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your ancestors like the first ripe figs on a fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor and gave themselves over to that shameful thing, and they became as disgusting as the thing they loved."
11As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
11As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird: no birth, no pregnancy, no conception.
12Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
12"Even if they raise children, I will take them away until not one man is left. Yes, sorrow to them when I turn away from them!"
13Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.
13Ephraim, as I saw him, was planted in a pleasant place like Tyre, but Ephraim will lead his children out to the one who kills them.
14Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
14Give them, LORD—what will you give? Give them a womb that miscarries and breasts that have no milk.
Gilgal, and Wanderers Among the Nations
15All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.
15"All their wickedness is at Gilgal; there I came to hate them. Because of their evil deeds I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more; all their leaders are rebels."
16Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.
16Ephraim is struck down; their root has dried up, and they will bear no fruit. Even if they do give birth, I will put to death the precious children of their womb.
17My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.
17My God will reject them because they did not listen to him, and they will be wanderers among the nations.
X
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Spreading Vine and Multiplied Altars
1Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.
1Israel is a spreading vine that grows fruit for itself. The more fruit he had, the more altars he built; the better his land became, the finer he made his sacred pillars.
2Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
2Their heart is divided; now they will be found guilty. He will tear down their altars and wreck their pillars.
No King, and Empty Oaths
3For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?
3For now they will say, "We have no king, because we did not fear the LORD. And what could a king do for us anyway?"
4They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
4They speak empty words, swearing false oaths as they make treaties, so justice springs up like poison weeds in the furrows of a field.
The Calf Carried Off to Assyria
5The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
5The people of Samaria will be afraid for the calf idol of Beth-aven. Its people will mourn over it, and so will its priests who once rejoiced in it, because its glory has gone away from it.
6It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
6The idol itself will be carried off to Assyria as a gift for the great king. Ephraim will be disgraced, and Israel will be ashamed of its own schemes.
7As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.
7As for Samaria, her king is swept away like foam on the water.
8The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.
8The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; thorns and thistles will grow up over their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!"
Since the Days of Gibeah
9O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.
9Israel, you have sinned since the days of Gibeah, and there you have stayed. The battle against the wrongdoers at Gibeah did not overtake them.
10It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.
10"When I choose, I will discipline them; the nations will be gathered against them when they are harnessed to their double furrow."
The Trained Heifer and the Fallow Ground
11And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.
11Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh grain, but I will put a yoke on her lovely neck. I will make Ephraim carry a rider; Judah will plow, and Jacob will break up the clods.
12Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
12Sow for yourselves what is right, and reap in mercy. Break up your unplowed ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and rains righteousness on you.
13Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
13You have plowed wickedness and reaped wrongdoing; you have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way and in the number of your warriors.
Beth-arbel and the King Cut Off at Dawn
14Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
14So an uproar will rise among your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.
15So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.
15That is what Bethel will do to you because of your great wickedness. At dawn the king of Israel will be completely cut off.
XI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Child Taught to Walk
1When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
1"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.
2As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
2But the more they were called, the farther they went away. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.
3I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
3Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them up by their arms, but they did not realize that I was the one healing them.
4I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
4I led them with human cords, with ropes of love. I was to them like someone who lifts the yoke off their jaws, and I bent down and fed them.
Assyria Will Be His King
5He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
5He will not go back to the land of Egypt, but Assyria will be his king, because they refused to come back to me.
6And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
6The sword will fall on his cities; it will consume his branches and devour them because of their own schemes.
7And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
7My people are determined to turn away from me. Though the prophets call them to the Most High, not one of them will lift him up.
How Shall I Give Thee Up
8How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
8How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within me; all my compassion is stirred up at once.
9I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
9I will not carry out my fierce anger; I will not turn back and destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not a man, the Holy One among you, and I will not come into the city in fury.
Trembling Home Like Birds
10They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
10They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
11They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
11They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria, and I will settle them in their homes," says the LORD.
Ephraim's Lies and Judah's Loyalty
12Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
12Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah still walks with God and is faithful with the holy ones.
XII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Feeding on Wind
1Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
1Ephraim feeds on the wind and chases the east wind; every day he piles up more lies and ruin. They make a treaty with Assyria and carry olive oil to Egypt.
2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
2The LORD also has a case against Judah. He will punish Jacob according to his ways and pay him back according to his deeds.
Jacob at the Womb, the River, and Bethel
3He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
3In the womb he grabbed his brother's heel, and as a grown man he wrestled with God.
4Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
4Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won; he wept and pleaded with him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us—
5Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
5the LORD, the God of armies; the LORD is the name by which he is remembered.
6Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
6So turn back to your God. Hold on to mercy and justice, and wait for your God always.
The Merchant's False Balances
7He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
7He is a trader who holds dishonest scales in his hand; he loves to oppress.
8And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
8Ephraim says, "Look how rich I have become! I have made myself a fortune. In all my work no one will find any wrongdoing in me that counts as sin."
9And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
9"But I am the LORD your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt, and I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of the appointed feast.
Prophets, Gilead and Gilgal
10I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
10I have spoken through the prophets; I have given vision after vision, and through the prophets I have told parables."
11Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
11Is there wickedness in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. They sacrifice bulls at Gilgal, and their altars are like piles of stones in the furrows of a field.
Jacob Served for a Wife, a Prophet Led Israel Out
12And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
12Jacob fled to the country of Syria; there Israel worked to earn a wife, and to earn a wife he tended sheep.
13And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
13By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was kept safe.
14Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his LORD return unto him.
14Ephraim has stirred up his anger most bitterly, so his LORD will leave the guilt of his bloodshed on him and pay him back for his insults.
XIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Ephraim Died Through Baal
1When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
1When Ephraim spoke, people trembled; he was lifted high in Israel. But when he sinned through Baal, he died.
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 have made themselves cast-metal images from their silver, idols shaped by their own cleverness, all of them the work of craftsmen. They say about them, "Let the people who sacrifice kiss the calves."
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 the morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes, like chaff blown off the threshing floor by a whirlwind, and like smoke escaping from a chimney.
The God Who Knew Them Becomes a Lion
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.
4"Yet I am the LORD your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt. You must know no god but me, for there is no savior except me.
5I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
5I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of terrible drought.
6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
6When they had pasture, they were filled; when they were filled, 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 be like a lion to them; like a leopard I will lie in 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 meet them like a bear robbed of her cubs and tear open their chests. I will devour them there like a lion, and wild animals will rip them apart.
A King Given in Anger
9O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
9Israel, you have destroyed yourself, but in me is your help.
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?
10I will be your king. Where is any other who can save you in all your cities? Where are the judges you asked for when 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 in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath.
The Child Who Will Not Be Born
12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
12Ephraim's wrongdoing is wrapped up and stored away; his sin is hidden.
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.
13The pains of a woman in labor will come upon him. He is a foolish son, for he should not linger at the place where children are 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 ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Death, I will be your plagues! Grave, I will be your destruction! Any change of heart is hidden from my eyes."
The East Wind and Samaria's Fall
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.
15Though he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come, the wind of the LORD rising from the wilderness. His spring will dry up and his fountain will fail; it will plunder his storehouse of every precious thing.
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 desolate, because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women will be cut open.
XIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Take Words and Return
1O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
1Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your sin.
2Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
2Take words with you and come back to the LORD. Say to him, "Take away all our sin and receive us kindly, so that we may bring you the offerings of our lips."
3Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
3"Assyria will not save us; we will not ride on horses. We will never again say to the work of our hands, 'You are our gods.' For in you the orphan finds mercy."
Dew, Lily, and the Scent of Lebanon
4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
4"I will heal their turning away; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.
5I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
5I will be like dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and send down roots like the trees of Lebanon.
6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
6His branches will spread out; his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
7They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
7Those who live in his shade will come back; they will flourish like grain and blossom like the vine, and his scent will be like the wine of Lebanon.
Ephraim Done with Idols
8Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
8Ephraim will say, "What do I have to do with idols anymore?" I have heard him, and I watch over him. I am like a green evergreen tree; your fruit comes from me.
A Closing Word to the Wise
9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
9Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is discerning? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them, but those who rebel stumble in them.