\id HOS - Copyright World Bible Translation Center 1987, 1999, 2006, 2008 
\ide UTF-8
\h Hosea 
\toc1 Hosea 
\toc2 Hosea 
\mt1 Hosea 
\c 1  
\s1 The Lord God’s Message Through Hosea 
\p
\v 1 \w This|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w message|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Hosea|strong="H1954"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Beeri|strong="H0882"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w Uzziah|strong="H5818"\w*, \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w*, \w Ahaz|strong="H0271"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hezekiah|strong="H2396"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeroboam|strong="H3379"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. 
\p
\v 2 \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w first|strong="H8462"\w* \w message|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Hosea|strong="H1954"\w*. \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “Go, \w marry|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w prostitute|strong="H2181"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w children|strong="H3206"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* result \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* prostitution. Do \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w people|strong="H0776"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w have|strong="H0776"\w* acted \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w prostitutes|strong="H2181"\w*—\w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0776"\w* \w been|strong="H0776"\w* \w unfaithful|strong="H2181"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*.” 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0559"\w* Birth \w of|strong="H0776"\w* Jezreel 
\p
\v 3 \w So|strong="H3947"\w* Hosea \w married|strong="H3947"\w* \w Gomer|strong="H1586"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Diblaim. She \w became|strong="H3205"\w* \w pregnant|strong="H2029"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w for|strong="H3947"\w* Hosea. 
\v 4 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Hosea|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Name|strong="H8034"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jezreel|strong="H3157"\w*,\f + \fr 1:4  \fk Jezreel \ft This name in Hebrew means “God will plant seeds.”\f* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w soon|strong="H4592"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w punish|strong="H6485"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jehu|strong="H3058"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H1818"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* killed \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jezreel|strong="H3157"\w* Valley.\f + \fr 1:4  \fk people … at Jezreel Valley \ft See 2 Kings 9-10 for the story of Jehu’s revolt at Jezreel Valley.\f* \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w put|strong="H6485"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* end \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4468"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w nation|strong="H1004"\w*\f + \fr 1:4  \fk nation \ft Literally, “house.” This might mean the royal family of that country. Also in verse 6.\f* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. 
\v 5 \w And|strong="H3478"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w break|strong="H7665"\w* \w Israel’s|strong="H3478"\w* \w bow|strong="H7198"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Jezreel|strong="H3157"\w* \w Valley|strong="H6010"\w*.” 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w Birth|strong="H7665"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Lo-Ruhamah 
\p
\v 6 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* Gomer \w became|strong="H3205"\w* \w pregnant|strong="H2029"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* LORD \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Hosea|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Name|strong="H8034"\w* \w her|strong="H5375"\w* \w Lo-Ruhamah|strong="H3819"\w*,\f + \fr 1:6  \fk Lo-Ruhamah \ft This name in Hebrew means “She receives no mercy.” Also in verse 8.\f* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w show|strong="H5375"\w* \w mercy|strong="H7355"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w nation|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w anymore|strong="H5750"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w forgive|strong="H5375"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\v 7 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w show|strong="H7355"\w* \w mercy|strong="H7355"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w nation|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w save|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* use \w bows|strong="H7198"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H4421"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w save|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w save|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* own power.\f + \fr 1:7  \fk by my own power \ft Literally, “by the LORD their God.”\f*” 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w Birth|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Lo-Ammi 
\p
\v 8 After Gomer \w had|strong="H3205"\w* finished nursing \w Lo-Ruhamah|strong="H3819"\w*, she \w became|strong="H3205"\w* \w pregnant|strong="H2029"\w* again \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w a|strong="H3205"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*. 
\v 9 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* Lord \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Name|strong="H8034"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* \w Lo-Ammi|strong="H3818"\w*,\f + \fr 1:9  \fk Lo-Ammi \ft This name in Hebrew means “not my people.”\f* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are|strong="H0859"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w my|strong="H1961"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w and|strong="H8034"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H0559"\w*.” 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0559"\w* Lord \w Speaks|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Nation|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H8034"\w* \w Israel|strong="H5971"\w* 
\p
\v 10 “In the future the number of the people of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which you cannot measure or count. In the same place that God told them, ‘You are not my people,’ he will call them ‘children of the Living God.’ 
\p
\v 11 “Then the people of Judah and the people of Israel will be gathered together. They will choose one ruler for themselves, and their nation will be too large for the land.\f + \fr 1:11  \fk their nation … land \ft Literally, “they will go up from the land.”\f* Jezreel’s day will be great!” 
\c 2  
\p
\v 1 “\w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w your|strong="H0834"\w* brothers, ‘\w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w my|strong="H1961"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*,’ \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w your|strong="H0834"\w* sisters, ‘\w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* shown mercy \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w*.’”\f + \fr 2:1  \ft Or “Then say to your brothers, ‘My people,’ and to your sisters, ‘You have been shown mercy.’”\f* 
\p
\v 2 “Argue \w with|strong="H0776"\w* \w your|strong="H7760"\w* mother.\f + \fr 2:2  \fk mother \ft This means the nation of Israel.\f* Argue \w with|strong="H0776"\w* \w her|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* \w no|strong="H4480"\w* longer \w my|strong="H7760"\w* wife, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w no|strong="H4480"\w* longer \w her|strong="H3588"\w* husband! Tell \w her|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* stop \w being|strong="H1121"\w* \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* prostitute. Tell \w her|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w take|strong="H7760"\w* \w away|strong="H4480"\w* \w her|strong="H3588"\w* lovers\f + \fr 2:2  \fk her lovers \ft Or “adulteries.” Adultery means breaking a marriage promise by sexual sin. God was like a husband to Israel. But Israel was worshiping false gods—this was spiritual adultery against God.\f* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w between|strong="H4480"\w* \w her|strong="H3588"\w* breasts. 
\v 3 If she refuses \w to|strong="H0559"\w* stop \w her|strong="H0559"\w* adultery, \w I|strong="H0559"\w* will strip \w her|strong="H0559"\w* naked \w and|strong="H0251"\w* leave \w her|strong="H0559"\w* like \w the|strong="H0559"\w* day she \w was|strong="H0559"\w* born. \w I|strong="H0559"\w* will take away \w her|strong="H0559"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w and|strong="H0251"\w* she will \w be|strong="H0251"\w* like \w an|strong="H0559"\w* empty, dry desert. \w I|strong="H0559"\w* will kill \w her|strong="H0559"\w* \w with|strong="H0559"\w* thirst. 
\v 4 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w have|strong="H0376"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* pity \w on|strong="H6440"\w* \w her|strong="H0802"\w* children \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* children \w of|strong="H0376"\w* prostitution. 
\v 5 \w Their|strong="H7760"\w* mother \w has|strong="H0776"\w* acted \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w a|strong="H7760"\w* prostitute. She \w should|strong="H0776"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* ashamed \w of|strong="H0776"\w* what she \w did|strong="H3117"\w*. She said, ‘\w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* go \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w my|strong="H7760"\w* lovers,\f + \fr 2:5  \fk lovers \ft This means Israel’s false gods. Also in verses 7, 10, 13.\f* \w who|strong="H3205"\w* \w give|strong="H3205"\w* \w me|strong="H7760"\w* food \w and|strong="H0776"\w* water, wool \w and|strong="H0776"\w* linen, wine \w and|strong="H0776"\w* olive oil.’ 
\p
\v 6 “\w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Lord, \w will|strong="H1121"\w* block Israel’s road \w with|strong="H0853"\w* thorns, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1121"\w* build \w a|strong="H3588"\w* wall. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* able \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w find|strong="H7355"\w* \w her|strong="H3588"\w* path. 
\v 7 \w She|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w run|strong="H3001"\w* \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w lovers|strong="H0157"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H0517"\w* able \w to|strong="H0559"\w* catch \w up|strong="H3001"\w* \w with|strong="H3899"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w She|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* look \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w lovers|strong="H0157"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H0517"\w* able \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w find|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*, ‘\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* go \w back|strong="H0310"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* husband. Life \w was|strong="H4325"\w* better \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H4325"\w* \w with|strong="H3899"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*. Life \w was|strong="H4325"\w* better \w then|strong="H5414"\w* \w than|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H4325"\w* \w now|strong="H3588"\w*.’ 
\p
\v 8 “Israel \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* know \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H2005"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Lord, \w was|strong="H1870"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H4672"\w* gave \w her|strong="H3651"\w* grain, wine, \w and|strong="H1870"\w* oil. \w I|strong="H2005"\w* kept giving \w her|strong="H3651"\w* \w more|strong="H3651"\w* \w and|strong="H1870"\w* \w more|strong="H3651"\w* silver \w and|strong="H1870"\w* gold, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w she|strong="H3808"\w* used \w this|strong="H3651"\w* silver \w and|strong="H1870"\w* gold \w to|strong="H1870"\w* make statues \w of|strong="H1870"\w* Baal. 
\v 9 \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w take|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w my|strong="H1245"\w* grain \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w time|strong="H6258"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0376"\w* \w ready|strong="H6258"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* harvested. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w take|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w my|strong="H1245"\w* wine \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w time|strong="H6258"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* grapes \w are|strong="H0376"\w* \w ready|strong="H6258"\w*. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w take|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w my|strong="H1245"\w* wool \w and|strong="H7725"\w* linen. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w gave|strong="H0559"\w* \w those|strong="H0376"\w* \w things|strong="H7223"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w could|strong="H0376"\w* cover \w her|strong="H0413"\w* naked body. 
\v 10 \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* strip \w her|strong="H5414"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* naked, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3045"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* lovers \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w see|strong="H3045"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*. \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* able \w to|strong="H5414"\w* save \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w from|strong="H2091"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* power.\f + \fr 2:10  \fk power \ft Literally, “hand.”\f* 
\v 11 \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H7725"\w* \w take|strong="H3947"\w* \w away|strong="H7725"\w* \w all|strong="H5337"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* fun. \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H7725"\w* stop \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w festivals|strong="H4150"\w*, \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w New|strong="H8492"\w* Moon celebrations, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* days \w of|strong="H6256"\w* rest. \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H7725"\w* stop \w all|strong="H5337"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* special \w feasts|strong="H4150"\w*. 
\v 12 \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* destroy \w her|strong="H1540"\w* vines \w and|strong="H3027"\w* fig trees. \w She|strong="H3808"\w* said, ‘\w My|strong="H5337"\w* \w lovers|strong="H0157"\w* gave these \w things|strong="H1540"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* \w me|strong="H3808"\w*.’ \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* change \w her|strong="H1540"\w* gardens—\w they|strong="H0376"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* become \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3808"\w* wild forest. Wild animals \w will|strong="H0376"\w* come \w and|strong="H3027"\w* eat \w from|strong="H0376"\w* \w those|strong="H0376"\w* plants. 
\p
\v 13 “Israel served false gods,\f + \fr 2:13  \fk false gods \ft Literally, “Baals.”\f* \w so|strong="H7673"\w* I \w will|strong="H7673"\w* punish \w her|strong="H3605"\w*. \w She|strong="H2320"\w* burned incense \w to|strong="H4150"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* false gods. \w She|strong="H2320"\w* dressed \w up|strong="H3605"\w*—\w she|strong="H2320"\w* put \w on|strong="H3605"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* jewelry \w and|strong="H4150"\w* nose ring. \w Then|strong="H3605"\w* \w she|strong="H2320"\w* went \w to|strong="H4150"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* lovers \w and|strong="H4150"\w* forgot \w me|strong="H3605"\w*.” \w This|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* what \w the|strong="H3605"\w* LORD \w has|strong="H3605"\w* said. 
\p
\v 14 “\w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w*, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* Lord, \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w speak|strong="H0559"\w* romantic words \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* lead \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w into|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* desert \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w speak|strong="H0559"\w* tender words. 
\v 15 \w There|strong="H1992"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* give \w her|strong="H5921"\w* vineyards. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* give \w her|strong="H5921"\w* Achor Valley \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* doorway \w of|strong="H3068"\w* hope. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* answer \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w did|strong="H0834"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* came \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* land \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Egypt.” 
\v 16 \w This|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w what|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* LORD \w says|strong="H1696"\w*. 
\p “\w At|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w time|strong="H3820"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* call \w me|strong="H5921"\w* ‘\w My|strong="H5921"\w* husband.’ \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* not call \w me|strong="H5921"\w* ‘\w My|strong="H5921"\w* Baal.’\f + \fr 2:16  \fk My Baal \ft This is a wordplay. Baal was a Canaanite god, but the name also means “lord or husband.”\f* 
\v 17 \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w take|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* names \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w those|strong="H0853"\w* false gods \w out|strong="H8033"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* mouth. \w Then|strong="H6030"\w* \w people|strong="H0776"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w not|strong="H0776"\w* use \w those|strong="H0853"\w* names again. 
\p
\v 18 “\w At|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H7121"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* agreement \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* Israelites \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w animals|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* field, \w the|strong="H5002"\w* birds \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* sky, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* crawling \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* ground. \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* break \w the|strong="H5002"\w* bow, \w the|strong="H5002"\w* sword, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* weapons \w of|strong="H0376"\w* war \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* land. \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* land safe, \w so|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* Israel \w can|strong="H5750"\w* \w lie|strong="H1961"\w* \w down|strong="H7121"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* peace. 
\v 19 \w And|strong="H6310"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w make|strong="H2142"\w* \w you|strong="H0853"\w* \w my|strong="H5493"\w* bride forever. \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w make|strong="H2142"\w* \w you|strong="H0853"\w* \w my|strong="H5493"\w* bride \w with|strong="H6310"\w* goodness \w and|strong="H6310"\w* justice \w and|strong="H6310"\w* \w with|strong="H6310"\w* love \w and|strong="H6310"\w* mercy. 
\v 20 \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w make|strong="H3772"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w my|strong="H4480"\w* faithful bride. Then \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* really know \w the|strong="H4480"\w* LORD. 
\v 21 \w And|strong="H4941"\w* \w at|strong="H4941"\w* that \w time|strong="H5769"\w* I \w will|strong="H6664"\w* answer.” This \w is|strong="H6664"\w* \w what|strong="H6664"\w* \w the|strong="H4941"\w* \w LORD|strong="H2617"\w* says. 
\b
\q1 “I \w will|strong="H6664"\w* speak \w to|strong="H4941"\w* \w the|strong="H4941"\w* skies, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H4941"\w* they \w will|strong="H6664"\w* give rain \w to|strong="H4941"\w* \w the|strong="H4941"\w* earth. 
\q1
\v 22 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* earth \w will|strong="H3068"\w* produce grain, wine, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* oil, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* meet Jezreel’s needs. 
\q1
\v 23 \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* sow \w her|strong="H1961"\w* many seeds\f + \fr 2:23  \fk I will sow her many seeds \ft Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi are Hosea’s children. But the names also have special meanings. The name Jezreel means “God will plant seeds.” But Jezreel is also the name of a large valley in Israel. This probably shows that God will bring his people back to Israel.\f* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w her|strong="H1961"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*. 
\q2 \w To|strong="H1961"\w* Lo-Ruhamah,\f + \fr 2:23  \fk Lo-Ruhamah \ft This name in Hebrew means “She receives no mercy.”\f* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w show|strong="H1961"\w* \w mercy|strong="H3068"\w*. 
\q1 \w To|strong="H1961"\w* Lo-Ammi,\f + \fr 2:23  \fk Lo-Ammi \ft This name in Hebrew means “not my people.”\f* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* say, ‘\w You|strong="H3117"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H0776"\w*.’ 
\q2 \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* say \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w me|strong="H1961"\w*, ‘\w You|strong="H3117"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*.’” 
\b
\c  3  
\s1 Hosea Buys Gomer Back From Slavery 
\p
\v 1 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w*, “Gomer\f + \fr 3:1  \fk Gomer \ft Literally, “a woman.”\f* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* many \w lovers|strong="H0157"\w*, \w but|strong="H1992"\w* \w you|strong="H0853"\w* \w must|strong="H0853"\w* \w continue|strong="H5750"\w* \w loving|strong="H0157"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w*. Do \w this|strong="H3068"\w* \w because|strong="H0413"\w* \w it|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w an|strong="H0559"\w* example \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w love|strong="H0157"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He|strong="H0430"\w* continues \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w love|strong="H0157"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*, \w but|strong="H1992"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w continue|strong="H5750"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w turn|strong="H6437"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w other|strong="H0312"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w love|strong="H0157"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* eat \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w raisin|strong="H0809"\w* \w cakes|strong="H0809"\w*.\f + \fr 3:1  \fk raisin cakes \ft This food was used in the feasts that honored false gods such as the “Queen of Heaven.”\f*” 
\p
\v 2 So I \w bought|strong="H3739"\w* Gomer back \w for|strong="H3701"\w* 6 ounces\f + \fr 3:2  \fk 6 ounces \ft Literally, “15 \+add shekels\+add*” (172.5 g).\f* \w of|strong="H3701"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* 9 bushels\f + \fr 3:2  \fk 9 bushels \ft Literally, “1 homer and 1 \+tl letek\+tl*” (231 l).\f* \w of|strong="H3701"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w*. 
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3117"\w* \w must|strong="H1571"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H0413"\w* home \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*. \w You|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w prostitute|strong="H2181"\w*. \w You|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* sexual \w relations|strong="H0413"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w another|strong="H0376"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H1961"\w* \w husband|strong="H0376"\w*.” 
\p
\v 4 \w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* same way \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* continue \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w without|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w or|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w leader|strong="H8269"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w without|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H2077"\w* \w or|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* memorial stone. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w without|strong="H0369"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* \w ephod|strong="H0646"\w* \w or|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w household|strong="H8655"\w* \w god|strong="H0369"\w*. 
\v 5 \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w this|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w look|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w In|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w last|strong="H0319"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* honor \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w goodness|strong="H2898"\w*. 
\c 4  
\s1 The Lord Is Angry Against Israel 
\p
\v 1 \w People|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w message|strong="H1697"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w something|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w say|strong="H3478"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w those|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*: “\w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w honest|strong="H2617"\w* \w or|strong="H0369"\w* \w loyal|strong="H3068"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0369"\w* \w really|strong="H0571"\w* \w know|strong="H1847"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 2 \w They|strong="H5003"\w* \w are|strong="H1818"\w* always cursing, \w lying|strong="H3584"\w*, \w killing|strong="H1818"\w*, \w stealing|strong="H1589"\w*, \w and|strong="H1818"\w* \w committing|strong="H5003"\w* \w adultery|strong="H5003"\w*. \w They|strong="H5003"\w* \w murder|strong="H7523"\w* one \w person|strong="H1818"\w* after \w another|strong="H1818"\w*. 
\v 3 \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* \w like|strong="H3651"\w* someone crying \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* dead, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w are|strong="H8064"\w* \w weak|strong="H3605"\w*. \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w animals|strong="H2416"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w birds|strong="H5775"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fish|strong="H1709"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w* \w are|strong="H8064"\w* dying.\f + \fr 4:3  \fk dying \ft Literally, “being taken away.”\f* 
\v 4 \w No|strong="H0408"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w should|strong="H0376"\w* \w argue|strong="H3198"\w* \w or|strong="H0408"\w* blame \w another|strong="H0376"\w* \w person|strong="H0376"\w*. \w Priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w my|strong="H7378"\w* \w argument|strong="H3198"\w* \w is|strong="H0376"\w* \w with|strong="H0376"\w* \w you|strong="H0389"\w*!\f + \fr 4:4  \ft Or “The people cannot complain or blame someone else. The people are helpless, like arguing with a priest.” Many times the priests and Levites served as judges, and their decisions were final.\f* 
\v 5 \w You|strong="H3117"\w* priests \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w fall|strong="H3782"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* daytime. \w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w at|strong="H3117"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w fall|strong="H3782"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w*. \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w destroy|strong="H1820"\w* \w your|strong="H1571"\w* \w mother|strong="H0517"\w*. 
\p
\v 6 “\w My|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H1820"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w no|strong="H1097"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w priests|strong="H3547"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* refused \w to|strong="H0430"\w* learn, \w so|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* refuse \w to|strong="H0430"\w* \w let|strong="H3988"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w priests|strong="H3547"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H0589"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w forgotten|strong="H7911"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w so|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w forget|strong="H7911"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*. 
\v 7 \w They|strong="H3651"\w* became proud. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w* \w more|strong="H3651"\w* \w and|strong="H2398"\w* \w more|strong="H3651"\w* \w against|strong="H2398"\w* \w me|strong="H2398"\w*, \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H2398"\w* \w change|strong="H4171"\w* \w their|strong="H4171"\w* \w honor|strong="H3519"\w* to \w shame|strong="H7036"\w*. 
\p
\v 8 “\w The|strong="H0413"\w* priests \w fed|strong="H0398"\w* \w on|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w people’s|strong="H5971"\w* \w sins|strong="H2403"\w*. \w They|strong="H5971"\w* wanted \w more|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w more|strong="H5315"\w* \w of|strong="H5315"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* \w sin|strong="H2403"\w* offerings.\f + \fr 4:8  \ft This is a wordplay. The word “sins” also means “sin offerings.” So instead of eating sacrifices, the priests became hungry for sin itself.\f* 
\v 9 \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w are|strong="H1870"\w* no different \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w punish|strong="H6485"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* did. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w pay|strong="H7725"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* wrong \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* did. 
\v 10 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w satisfied|strong="H7646"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w commit|strong="H2181"\w* sexual sins, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H7646"\w* babies.\f + \fr 4:10  \fk They … babies \ft A part of worshiping the false gods was having sexual relations with temple prostitutes. The people thought this would make the gods happy. And then the gods would give the people large families and good crops.\f* \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w left|strong="H5800"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w became|strong="H6555"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w prostitutes|strong="H2181"\w*. 
\p
\v 11 “\w Sexual|strong="H3947"\w* sins, strong drink, \w and|strong="H3196"\w* \w new|strong="H8492"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* ruin \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w person’s|strong="H3820"\w* ability \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w think|strong="H3820"\w* straight. 
\v 12 \w My|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w are|strong="H0430"\w* \w asking|strong="H7592"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w wood|strong="H6086"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* advice. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* think \w those|strong="H3588"\w* \w sticks|strong="H6086"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* answer \w them|strong="H8478"\w*! \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3588"\w* chased \w after|strong="H3588"\w* \w those|strong="H3588"\w* false \w gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w like|strong="H8478"\w* \w prostitutes|strong="H2181"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w have|strong="H3588"\w* left \w their|strong="H3588"\w* own \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 13 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w make|strong="H3588"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H6999"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w tops|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w burn|strong="H6999"\w* \w incense|strong="H6999"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hills|strong="H1389"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w oak|strong="H0424"\w* trees, \w poplar|strong="H3839"\w* trees, \w and|strong="H7218"\w* elm trees.\f + \fr 4:13  \fk under … trees \ft Trees and groves were an important part of worshiping false gods.\f* \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w shade|strong="H6738"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w those|strong="H5921"\w* trees looks \w nice|strong="H2896"\w*. \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* lie \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w those|strong="H5921"\w* trees \w like|strong="H3651"\w* \w prostitutes|strong="H2181"\w*, \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w daughters-in-law|strong="H3618"\w* \w commit|strong="H5003"\w* sexual sins. 
\p
\v 14 “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* blame \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w daughters-in-law|strong="H3618"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* doing \w this|strong="H3588"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w go|strong="H6504"\w* \w and|strong="H1323"\w* \w have|strong="H1323"\w* sex \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* temple \w prostitutes|strong="H2181"\w*\f + \fr 4:14  \fk temple prostitutes \ft Women who were prostitutes at the temples of the false gods. Their sexual sins were part of worshiping those false gods.\f* \w and|strong="H1323"\w* \w offer|strong="H2076"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2076"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H1323"\w* \w how|strong="H3588"\w* foolish \w people|strong="H5971"\w* destroy \w themselves|strong="H1992"\w*. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* Shameful Sins \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Israel|strong="H5971"\w* 
\p
\v 15 “\w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, just \w because|strong="H2181"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* act \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w prostitute|strong="H2181"\w* doesn’t mean \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w should|strong="H0518"\w* feel \w guilty|strong="H0816"\w* too. \w People|strong="H0408"\w*, \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w Gilgal|strong="H1537"\w* \w or|strong="H0518"\w* Beth Aven.\f + \fr 4:15  \fk Beth Aven \ft A name meaning “House of Evil.” It is a wordplay on the name “Bethel,” a name meaning “House of God.” There was a temple in this town. Also in 5:8.\f* \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* use \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w Lord’s|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H0518"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* make \w promises|strong="H7650"\w*. \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w say|strong="H3478"\w*, ‘\w As|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w* …!’ 
\v 16 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* given many \w things|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w shepherd|strong="H7462"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* takes \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w sheep|strong="H3532"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w large|strong="H4800"\w* \w field|strong="H4800"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* plenty \w of|strong="H3068"\w* grass. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w stubborn|strong="H5637"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* young \w cow|strong="H6510"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* runs away again \w and|strong="H3068"\w* again. 
\p
\v 17 “\w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w has|strong="H0669"\w* \w joined|strong="H2266"\w* his \w idols|strong="H6091"\w*, so \w leave|strong="H3240"\w* him alone. 
\v 18 Ephraim has joined \w their|strong="H5493"\w* drunkenness. Let \w them|strong="H0157"\w* continue \w to|strong="H0157"\w* be \w prostitutes|strong="H2181"\w*. Let \w them|strong="H0157"\w* be \w with|strong="H0157"\w* \w their|strong="H5493"\w* \w lovers|strong="H0157"\w*.\f + \fr 4:18  \fk lovers \ft This means Israel’s false gods.\f* 
\v 19 \w They|strong="H0954"\w* went \w to|strong="H0954"\w* \w those|strong="H0853"\w* gods \w for|strong="H2077"\w* safety, \w and|strong="H0954"\w* \w they|strong="H0954"\w* have lost their ability \w to|strong="H0954"\w* think.\f + \fr 4:19  \fk They … think \ft Or “The wind has carried them away on its wings” or “The spirit held them tight in its wings.” The Hebrew text here is hard to understand.\f* Their altars \w will|strong="H7307"\w* bring \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w shame|strong="H0954"\w*. 
\c 5  
\s1 The Leaders Cause  //  Israel and Judah to Sin 
\p
\v 1 “\w Priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w nation|strong="H1004"\w*\f + \fr 5:1  \fk nation \ft Literally, “house.” This might mean the royal family of that country. Also in verse 14.\f* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w people|strong="H8085"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*, \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w judged|strong="H4941"\w* guilty! 
\p “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* trap \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*\f + \fr 5:1  \fk Mizpah \ft A mountain in Israel. The people worshiped the false gods on many of the hills and mountains.\f* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w net|strong="H7568"\w* \w spread|strong="H6566"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ground \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w*.\f + \fr 5:1  \fk Tabor \ft A mountain in Israel.\f* 
\v 2 \w You|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H0589"\w* \w done|strong="H3605"\w* many evil \w things|strong="H3605"\w*,\f + \fr 5:2  \fk You … evil things \ft The Hebrew text here is hard to understand. It seems to be a wordplay of some kind.\f* \w so|strong="H0589"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H0589"\w* punish \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\v 3 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H3045"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* done. \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, right \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* act \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w prostitute|strong="H2181"\w*. \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w is|strong="H0669"\w* dirty \w with|strong="H3045"\w* sin. 
\v 4 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* Israel \w have|strong="H3045"\w* done many evil \w things|strong="H3808"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* these evil \w things|strong="H3808"\w* keep \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* coming \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* always thinking \w of|strong="H0430"\w* ways \w to|strong="H0413"\w* chase \w after|strong="H0413"\w* other \w gods|strong="H0430"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. 
\v 5 \w Israel’s|strong="H3478"\w* \w pride|strong="H1347"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H1571"\w* witness \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*,\f + \fr 5:5  \fk them \ft Literally, “his face.”\f* \w so|strong="H1571"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w stumble|strong="H3782"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H6440"\w* \w sin|strong="H5771"\w*. \w But|strong="H6030"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w stumble|strong="H3782"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*. 
\p
\v 6 “\w The|strong="H0853"\w* leaders \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* went \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w look|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w took|strong="H0853"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w sheep|strong="H6629"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w cattle|strong="H1241"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* because \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* accept \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. 
\v 7 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w been|strong="H6258"\w* faithful \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w Their|strong="H3068"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* some stranger. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* destroy \w them|strong="H0398"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w land|strong="H2506"\w* again.\f + \fr 5:7  \fk And now … again \ft The Hebrew text here is hard to understand.\f* 
\s1 \w A|strong="H3588"\w* Prophecy \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Israel’s Destruction 
\q1
\v 8 “\w Blow|strong="H8628"\w* \w the|strong="H0310"\w* \w horn|strong="H7782"\w* \w in|strong="H7782"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. 
\q2 \w Blow|strong="H8628"\w* \w the|strong="H0310"\w* \w trumpet|strong="H7782"\w* \w in|strong="H7782"\w* \w Ramah|strong="H7414"\w*.\f + \fr 5:8  \fk Gibeah, Ramah \ft Cities on Judah’s border with Israel.\f* 
\q1 \w Give|strong="H7321"\w* \w the|strong="H0310"\w* warning \w at|strong="H1144"\w* Beth Aven. 
\q2 \w The|strong="H0310"\w* enemy \w is|strong="H7782"\w* \w behind|strong="H0310"\w* \w you|strong="H0310"\w*, \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*. 
\q1
\v 9 \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* empty 
\q2 \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* punishment. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H3117"\w*, God, warn \w the|strong="H3117"\w* families \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* 
\q2 \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w this|strong="H3117"\w* really \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w*. 
\q1
\v 10 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w are|strong="H8269"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* thieves trying \w to|strong="H1961"\w* steal someone’s property, 
\q2 \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w pour|strong="H8210"\w* \w out|strong="H8210"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w anger|strong="H5678"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*. 
\q1
\v 11 \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w will|strong="H0669"\w* \w be|strong="H3588"\w* punished. 
\q2 \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0669"\w* \w be|strong="H3588"\w* \w crushed|strong="H7533"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w pressed|strong="H1980"\w* \w like|strong="H1980"\w* grapes, 
\q2 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* decided \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w follow|strong="H0310"\w* filth. 
\q1
\v 12 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* destroy \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w as|strong="H0589"\w* \w a|strong="H3063"\w* \w moth|strong="H6211"\w* eats \w a|strong="H3063"\w* piece \w of|strong="H1004"\w* cloth. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* ruin \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w like|strong="H1004"\w* rot \w on|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3063"\w* piece \w of|strong="H1004"\w* wood. 
\q1
\v 13 \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w sickness|strong="H2483"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w wound|strong="H4205"\w*, 
\q2 \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w went|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* help. 
\q1 \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w told|strong="H0413"\w* \w their|strong="H7200"\w* problems \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* great \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w heal|strong="H7495"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w cure|strong="H1455"\w* \w your|strong="H7200"\w* \w wound|strong="H4205"\w*. 
\q1
\v 14 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w be|strong="H1004"\w* \w like|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w lion|strong="H3715"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, 
\q2 \w like|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w young|strong="H3715"\w* \w lion|strong="H3715"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w nation|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H0589"\w*—\w yes|strong="H3588"\w*, \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w myself|strong="H0589"\w*—\w will|strong="H1004"\w* rip \w them|strong="H5375"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w pieces|strong="H2963"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w carry|strong="H5375"\w* \w them|strong="H5375"\w* \w away|strong="H5375"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w can|strong="H0369"\w* \w save|strong="H5337"\w* \w them|strong="H5375"\w*. 
\q1
\v 15 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w my|strong="H1245"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w*, 
\q2 \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* admit \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w guilty|strong="H0816"\w*, 
\q2 \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w looking|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\q1 Yes, \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w trouble|strong="H6862"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* try \w very|strong="H5704"\w* hard \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w find|strong="H1245"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*.” 
\b
\c  6  
\s1 The Rewards of  //  Coming Back to the Lord 
\q1
\v 1 “\w Come|strong="H7725"\w*, \w let’s|strong="H5221"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. 
\q2 \w He|strong="H1931"\w* hurt \w us|strong="H0413"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w heal|strong="H7495"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\q2 \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w wounded|strong="H5221"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w put|strong="H7725"\w* bandages \w on|strong="H0413"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\q1
\v 2 \w After|strong="H3117"\w* two \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3117"\w* bring \w us|strong="H6440"\w* back \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w*. 
\q2 \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3117"\w* \w raise|strong="H6965"\w* \w us|strong="H6440"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. 
\q2 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w we|strong="H3117"\w* can \w live|strong="H2421"\w* \w near|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. 
\q1
\v 3 Let’s \w learn|strong="H3045"\w* \w about|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. 
\q2 Let’s try \w very|strong="H3045"\w* hard \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\q1 \w We|strong="H0776"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w coming|strong="H0935"\w*, 
\q2 just \w as|strong="H0935"\w* \w we|strong="H0776"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w dawn|strong="H7837"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w coming|strong="H0935"\w*. 
\q1 \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w us|strong="H3384"\w* \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w rain|strong="H1653"\w*, 
\q2 \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w spring|strong="H4456"\w* \w rain|strong="H1653"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* waters \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w ground|strong="H0776"\w*.” 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w People|strong="H0776"\w* \w Are|strong="H3068"\w* \w Not|strong="H0776"\w* Faithful 
\q1
\v 4 “\w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H1242"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w*? 
\q2 \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H1242"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w*? 
\q1 \w Your|strong="H4100"\w* \w faithfulness|strong="H2617"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w like|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H1980"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w mist|strong="H6051"\w*. 
\q2 \w Your|strong="H4100"\w* \w faithfulness|strong="H2617"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w like|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H1980"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w* \w that|strong="H1242"\w* \w goes|strong="H1980"\w* \w away|strong="H1980"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H1980"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*. 
\q1
\v 5 \w I|strong="H3651"\w* used \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w prophets|strong="H5030"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H4941"\w* made laws \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* people. 
\q1 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* people \w were|strong="H5030"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w command|strong="H6310"\w*, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3651"\w* good things \w will|strong="H0216"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w those|strong="H5921"\w* \w decisions|strong="H4941"\w*.\f + \fr 6:5  \fk but good things … decisions \ft Or “I cut them with the prophets. I killed them with the words from my mouth. Light will come from your decisions.”\f* 
\q1
\v 6 \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0430"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w want|strong="H2654"\w* \w faithful|strong="H2617"\w* \w love|strong="H2617"\w*, 
\q2 \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H2077"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w want|strong="H2654"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H0430"\w* \w know|strong="H1847"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, 
\q2 \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H0430"\w* bring \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w offerings|strong="H5930"\w*. 
\q1
\v 7 \w But|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H8033"\w* people \w broke|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H8033"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w as|strong="H1992"\w* \w Adam|strong="H0121"\w* did.\f + \fr 6:7  \fk as Adam did \ft See Genesis 3.\f* 
\q2 \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1992"\w* unfaithful \w to|strong="H8033"\w* me \w in|strong="H8033"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* country. 
\q1
\v 8 \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w is|strong="H1818"\w* \w a|strong="H6466"\w* \w city|strong="H7151"\w* \w of|strong="H1818"\w* \w people|strong="H1818"\w* who \w do|strong="H6466"\w* \w evil|strong="H0205"\w*— 
\q2 \w people|strong="H1818"\w* who \w have|strong="H0205"\w* tricked \w and|strong="H1818"\w* killed others. 
\q1
\v 9 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w are|strong="H0376"\w* \w like|strong="H1870"\w* gangs \w of|strong="H0376"\w* robbers 
\q2 hiding \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w waiting|strong="H2442"\w* \w on|strong="H1870"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* attack \w someone|strong="H0376"\w*. 
\q1 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w murder|strong="H7523"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* before \w they|strong="H3588"\w* reach safety \w in|strong="H0376"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* such \w evil|strong="H2154"\w* things. 
\q1
\v 10 \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w have|strong="H7200"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H7200"\w* terrible thing \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w nation|strong="H1004"\w*\f + \fr 6:10  \fk nation \ft Literally, “house.” This might mean the royal family of that country.\f* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. 
\q1 \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* unfaithful \w to|strong="H3478"\w* God. 
\q2 \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w is|strong="H0669"\w* dirty \w with|strong="H1004"\w* sin. 
\q1
\v 11 \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w there|strong="H7725"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H1571"\w* time \w of|strong="H7622"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w* \w for|strong="H1571"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w*. 
\q2 \w It|strong="H7725"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* happen \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w bring|strong="H7725"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w captivity|strong="H7622"\w*.\f + \fr 6:11  \fk It will … captivity \ft Or “It will happen when I restore my people’s fortune.”\f* 
\b
\c  7  
\q1
\v 1 “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w heal|strong="H7495"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*! 
\q2 \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* people \w will|strong="H3478"\w* know \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* sinned. 
\q1 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* know \w about|strong="H0935"\w* \w Samaria’s|strong="H8111"\w*\f + \fr 7:1  \fk Samaria \ft The capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel.\f* \w lies|strong="H8267"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* know \w about|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w thieves|strong="H1590"\w* \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* town. 
\q1
\v 2 \w They|strong="H0559"\w* don’t believe \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w crimes|strong="H7451"\w*. 
\q2 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H0559"\w* did \w are|strong="H4611"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w around|strong="H5437"\w*. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H6258"\w* can see \w their|strong="H3605"\w* sins clearly. 
\q1
\v 3 \w Their|strong="H7451"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w makes|strong="H8055"\w* \w their|strong="H7451"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w*. 
\q2 \w Their|strong="H7451"\w* false gods please \w their|strong="H7451"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w*. 
\q1
\v 4 \w A|strong="H3644"\w* \w baker|strong="H0644"\w* presses \w dough|strong="H1217"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* make bread. 
\q2 \w He|strong="H5704"\w* puts \w the|strong="H3605"\w* bread \w in|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w oven|strong="H8574"\w*. 
\q1 \w He|strong="H5704"\w* does \w not|strong="H5782"\w* make \w the|strong="H3605"\w* fire hotter 
\q2 \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* bread \w is|strong="H3605"\w* rising. 
\q1 \w But|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w of|strong="H3605"\w* Israel are \w not|strong="H5782"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H5704"\w* are always \w making|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* fire hotter. 
\q1
\v 5 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w Our|strong="H0854"\w* \w King’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w Day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* get \w so|strong="H3027"\w* \w drunk|strong="H3196"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* get \w sick|strong="H2470"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H3117"\w* become crazy \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w make|strong="H4900"\w* agreements \w with|strong="H0854"\w* people \w who|strong="H4428"\w* laugh \w at|strong="H3117"\w* \w God|strong="H3027"\w*. 
\q1
\v 6 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3820"\w* \w make|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* secret plans. 
\q2 \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* \w hearts|strong="H3820"\w* \w burn|strong="H1197"\w* \w with|strong="H3605"\w* excitement \w like|strong="H3820"\w* \w an|strong="H7126"\w* \w oven|strong="H8574"\w*. 
\q1 \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* excitement \w burns|strong="H1197"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1242"\w* \w in|strong="H0693"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w like|strong="H3820"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* hot \w fire|strong="H0784"\w*. 
\q1
\v 7 \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H0369"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w like|strong="H5307"\w* \w hot|strong="H2552"\w* \w ovens|strong="H8574"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H0369"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w rulers|strong="H8199"\w*. 
\q1 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w*. 
\q2 \w Not|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* help. 
\s1 Israel \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Nations 
\q1
\v 8 “\w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* mixes \w with|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w nations|strong="H5971"\w*. 
\q2 \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w cake|strong="H5692"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* cooked \w on|strong="H1961"\w* both sides. 
\q1
\v 9 \w Strangers|strong="H2114"\w* destroy Ephraim’s \w strength|strong="H3581"\w*, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* Ephraim \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*. 
\q1 \w Gray|strong="H7872"\w* \w hairs|strong="H7872"\w*\f + \fr 7:9  \fk Gray hairs \ft This word might describe something that was put on the food when people cooked, something that looked like gray hairs.\f* \w are|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w sprinkled|strong="H2236"\w* \w on|strong="H1571"\w* Ephraim, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* Ephraim \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*. 
\q1
\v 10 Ephraim’s \w pride|strong="H1347"\w* speaks \w against|strong="H0413"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\q2 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* many troubles, 
\q1 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w still|strong="H7725"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w look|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w help|strong="H6030"\w*. 
\q1
\v 11 \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w has|strong="H0369"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* silly \w dove|strong="H3123"\w* \w without|strong="H0369"\w* \w understanding|strong="H3820"\w*. 
\q2 \w The|strong="H7121"\w* \w people|strong="H3820"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* help. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H0369"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* help. 
\q1
\v 12 \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w go|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w those|strong="H0834"\w* countries \w for|strong="H5921"\w* help, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* trap \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* throw \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w net|strong="H7568"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H8064"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w bring|strong="H3381"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w like|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w birds|strong="H5775"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w*. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w punish|strong="H3256"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* agreements.\f + \fr 7:12  \fk for their agreements \ft Or “for the report of their treaties.”\f* 
\q1
\v 13 \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H0595"\w* \w be|strong="H4480"\w* very bad \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w who|strong="H3588"\w* \w left|strong="H4480"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H1992"\w* refused \w to|strong="H1696"\w* obey \w me|strong="H5921"\w*, \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H0595"\w* \w be|strong="H4480"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H7701"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* saved \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w lies|strong="H3577"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\q1
\v 14 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w call|strong="H2199"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w hearts|strong="H3820"\w*. 
\q2 \w Yes|strong="H3588"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w cry|strong="H2199"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w beds|strong="H4904"\w*. 
\q1 \w And|strong="H3820"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w cut|strong="H5493"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5921"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* ask \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w grain|strong="H1715"\w* \w and|strong="H3820"\w* \w new|strong="H8492"\w* \w wine|strong="H8492"\w*. 
\q2 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w hearts|strong="H3820"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3588"\w* \w turned|strong="H5493"\w* \w away|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\q1
\v 15 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w trained|strong="H3256"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w and|strong="H2388"\w* \w made|strong="H2388"\w* \w their|strong="H2388"\w* \w arms|strong="H2220"\w* \w strong|strong="H2388"\w*, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H2388"\w* \w they|strong="H7451"\w* \w made|strong="H2388"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w plans|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\q1
\v 16 \w Like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* boomerang, \w they|strong="H3808"\w* changed directions, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*.\f + \fr 7:16  \fk They changed … to me \ft Or “They turned, but not upward” or “They turned to the ‘no-gods.’” That is, the statues people worshiped as gods.\f* 
\q1 \w Their|strong="H7725"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* bragged \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H7725"\w* strength, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w killed|strong="H2719"\w* \w with|strong="H4714"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w*. 
\q1 \w And|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w in|strong="H0776"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* 
\q2 \w will|strong="H1961"\w* laugh \w at|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w*. 
\b
\c  8  
\s1 Idol Worship Leads to Destruction 
\p
\v 1 “Put \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w trumpet|strong="H7782"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w lips|strong="H2441"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* give \w the|strong="H5921"\w* warning. \w Be|strong="H3068"\w* \w like|strong="H1004"\w* \w an|strong="H3068"\w* \w eagle|strong="H5404"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.\f + \fr 8:1  \fk Be like an eagle … LORD’S house \ft Or “Be like a guard over the LORD’S house.”\f* \w The|strong="H5921"\w* Israelites \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w broken|strong="H5674"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* not obeyed \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w law|strong="H8451"\w*. 
\v 2 \w They|strong="H0430"\w* yell \w out|strong="H2199"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w me|strong="H3045"\w*, ‘\w My|strong="H3045"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, we \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H3045"\w*!’ 
\v 3 \w But|strong="H2186"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* refused \w the|strong="H7291"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w things|strong="H3478"\w*, so \w the|strong="H7291"\w* \w enemy|strong="H0341"\w* \w chases|strong="H7291"\w* \w him|strong="H7291"\w*. 
\v 4 \w The|strong="H4480"\w* Israelites \w chose|strong="H6213"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* kings, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* come \w to|strong="H4616"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w* \w for|strong="H4616"\w* advice. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w chose|strong="H6213"\w* leaders, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* choose \w men|strong="H3772"\w* \w I|strong="H3045"\w* \w knew|strong="H3045"\w*. \w The|strong="H4480"\w* Israelites \w used|strong="H6213"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w to|strong="H4616"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w idols|strong="H6091"\w* \w for|strong="H4616"\w* \w themselves|strong="H1992"\w*, \w so|strong="H4616"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H3772"\w*. 
\v 5-6 He has refused your calf, Samaria.\f + \fr 8:5-6  \fk calf, Samaria \ft Samaria was the capital city of Israel. The people of Israel made statues of calves and put them in the temples at Dan and Bethel. It is not clear if these statues represented the Lord or some false god. But God didn’t want them to use these statues. See 1 Kings 12:26-30.\f* God says, ‘I am very angry with the Israelites.’ The people of Israel will be punished for their sin. Some worker made those statues. They are not God. Samaria’s calf will be broken into pieces. 
\v 7 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* Israelites \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* foolish \w thing|strong="H3588"\w*—\w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w like|strong="H7307"\w* trying \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w plant|strong="H2232"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* get only troubles—\w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7114"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* whirlwind. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w grain|strong="H7054"\w* \w in|strong="H7307"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* fields \w will|strong="H0369"\w* grow, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* give \w no|strong="H0369"\w* food. \w Even|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w grew|strong="H6780"\w* something, \w strangers|strong="H2114"\w* \w would|strong="H7307"\w* eat \w it|strong="H3588"\w*. 
\b
\q1
\v 8 “\w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H0369"\w*; 
\q2 \w its|strong="H1961"\w* \w people|strong="H1471"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* scattered \w among|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w*, 
\q2 \w like|strong="H1961"\w* some dish \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* thrown \w away|strong="H0369"\w* because \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* wanted \w it|strong="H1961"\w*. 
\q1
\v 9 \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* ‘\w lovers|strong="H0158"\w*.’\f + \fr 8:9  \fk lovers \ft This means Israel’s false gods.\f* 
\q2 \w Like|strong="H5927"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* stubborn \w donkey|strong="H6501"\w*, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* led \w him|strong="H3588"\w* \w off|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w*. 
\q1
\v 10 \w Yes|strong="H3588"\w*, Israel \w was|strong="H4428"\w* taken \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w*, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1471"\w* bring \w them|strong="H2490"\w* back. 
\q1 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* first, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w must|strong="H1571"\w* suffer \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w little|strong="H4592"\w* 
\q2 \w by|strong="H1571"\w* carrying \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w burden|strong="H4853"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* mighty \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. 
\s1 Israel Forgets God \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Worships Idols 
\q1
\v 11 “\w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* built \w more|strong="H7235"\w* \w and|strong="H4196"\w* \w more|strong="H7235"\w* \w altars|strong="H4196"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H4196"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w sin|strong="H2398"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w altars|strong="H4196"\w* \w of|strong="H4196"\w* \w sin|strong="H2398"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*. 
\q1
\v 12 Even \w if|strong="H3644"\w* I \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* 10,000 \w laws|strong="H8451"\w* \w for|strong="H2803"\w* Ephraim, 
\q2 \w he|strong="H2803"\w* would treat \w them|strong="H3789"\w* \w as|strong="H3644"\w* \w if|strong="H3644"\w* \w they|strong="H3644"\w* were \w for|strong="H2803"\w* some stranger. 
\q1
\v 13 \w The|strong="H3068"\w* Israelites love \w sacrifices|strong="H2077"\w*.\f + \fr 8:13  \fk The Israelites love sacrifices \ft The meaning of the Hebrew text here is uncertain.\f* 
\q2 \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w offer|strong="H2076"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w it|strong="H7725"\w*. 
\q1 \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w accept|strong="H7521"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2077"\w*. 
\q2 \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w remembers|strong="H2142"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w sins|strong="H2403"\w*, 
\q1 \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w punish|strong="H6485"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* carried \w away|strong="H7725"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* prisoners \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. 
\q1
\v 14 \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w palaces|strong="H0759"\w* \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w their|strong="H0398"\w* kings, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H3063"\w* now \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w builds|strong="H1129"\w* \w fortresses|strong="H0759"\w*. 
\q1 \w But|strong="H7911"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w forgotten|strong="H7911"\w* \w their|strong="H0398"\w* Maker! 
\q2 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H1129"\w* \w fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w destroy|strong="H6213"\w* \w their|strong="H0398"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w fortresses|strong="H0759"\w*!” 
\b
\c  9  
\s1 The Sadness of Exile 
\p
\v 1 \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* celebrate \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H5971"\w* \w do|strong="H0408"\w*. \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w be|strong="H0408"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* acted \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w prostitute|strong="H2181"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* left \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w committed|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* sexual sin\f + \fr 9:1  \fk You committed your sexual sin \ft This means the people were not faithful to God. But it also means the people had sexual relations with temple prostitutes. They believed their false gods would give them many children and good crops.\f* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w*. 
\v 2 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3808"\w* grain \w from|strong="H3808"\w* those \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floors|strong="H1637"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* provide enough food \w for|strong="H3808"\w* Israel. There \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* enough \w wine|strong="H8492"\w* \w for|strong="H3808"\w* Israel. 
\p
\v 3 \w The|strong="H3068"\w* Israelites \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. \w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w food|strong="H0398"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w*. 
\v 4 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* able \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w give|strong="H0398"\w* \w offerings|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w None|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2077"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w please|strong="H6148"\w* \w him|strong="H2930"\w*. \w What|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w offer|strong="H2077"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w eaten|strong="H0398"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* funeral—\w whoever|strong="H3605"\w* \w eats|strong="H0398"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w become|strong="H2930"\w* \w unclean|strong="H2930"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H0935"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5315"\w* \w hunger|strong="H5315"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* taken \w into|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord’s|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\v 5 \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* not \w be|strong="H3068"\w* able \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w celebrate|strong="H2282"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w feasts|strong="H4150"\w* \w or|strong="H3117"\w* \w festivals|strong="H4150"\w*.\f + \fr 9:5  \ft Literally, “What will you do for a day of solemn assembly, for the LORD’S festival day?”\f* 
\p
\v 6 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H6908"\w* \w of|strong="H0168"\w* Israel \w left|strong="H1980"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* enemy \w took|strong="H3423"\w* everything \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w will|strong="H4714"\w* \w take|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H6908"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6908"\w*. \w Memphis|strong="H4644"\w*\f + \fr 9:6  \fk Memphis \ft An important city in Egypt.\f* \w will|strong="H4714"\w* \w bury|strong="H6912"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w*. \w Weeds|strong="H7057"\w* \w will|strong="H4714"\w* \w grow|strong="H1980"\w* \w over|strong="H3423"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w treasures|strong="H4261"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w thorns|strong="H2336"\w* \w will|strong="H4714"\w* \w grow|strong="H1980"\w* \w where|strong="H2009"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Israelites lived. 
\s1 Israel Rejected \w the|strong="H3588"\w* True Prophets 
\p
\v 7 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w* says, “\w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w learn|strong="H3045"\w* \w this|strong="H3117"\w*: \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w punishment|strong="H5771"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w pay|strong="H3045"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w evil|strong="H5771"\w* \w things|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w did|strong="H0376"\w*.” \w But|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w say|strong="H3478"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w* \w is|strong="H0376"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* \w fool|strong="H0191"\w*. \w This|strong="H3117"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \add God’s\add* \w Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w is|strong="H0376"\w* crazy.” \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w* says, “\w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H0376"\w* punished \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* terrible \w sins|strong="H5771"\w*. \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H0376"\w* punished \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* hate.” 
\v 8 \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w* \w are|strong="H5030"\w* \w like|strong="H5973"\w* guards \w watching|strong="H6822"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w but|strong="H1870"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H5030"\w* many \w traps|strong="H6341"\w* \w along|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w*. \w And|strong="H0430"\w* people hate \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w*, \w even|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\p
\v 9 \w The|strong="H3117"\w* Israelites \w have|strong="H5771"\w* \w gone|strong="H6009"\w* \w deep|strong="H6009"\w* into \w ruin|strong="H7843"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. God \w will|strong="H3117"\w* \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Israelites’ \w sins|strong="H2403"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3117"\w* \w punish|strong="H6485"\w* \w them|strong="H6485"\w*. 
\s1 Israel \w Is|strong="H3117"\w* \w Ruined|strong="H7843"\w* \w by|strong="H3117"\w* \w Its|strong="H6485"\w* Worship \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Idols 
\p
\v 10 “\w At|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w time|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w*, \w the|strong="H0935"\w* Lord, \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* fresh \w grapes|strong="H6025"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w first|strong="H7225"\w* \w figs|strong="H8384"\w* \w on|strong="H0935"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w fig|strong="H8384"\w* \w tree|strong="H8384"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w beginning|strong="H7225"\w* \w of|strong="H0001"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* season. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1187"\w* \w Peor|strong="H1187"\w*,\f + \fr 9:10  \fk Baal Peor \ft This happened when Moses was still leading the Israelites in the desert. Read Num. 25:1-5.\f* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* changed. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* cut \w them|strong="H1992"\w* off \w like|strong="H1961"\w* rotten \w fruit|strong="H1063"\w*.\f + \fr 9:10  \fk they changed … rotten fruit \ft This is a wordplay that can also mean “they dedicated themselves to a shameful idol.”\f* \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* terrible \w things|strong="H8251"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w loved|strong="H0157"\w*. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0935"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w Will|strong="H1961"\w* \w Have|strong="H1961"\w* \w No|strong="H4672"\w* Children 
\p
\v 11 “\w Like|strong="H5774"\w* \w a|strong="H3205"\w* \w bird|strong="H5775"\w*, \w Ephraim’s|strong="H0669"\w* \w glory|strong="H3519"\w* \w will|strong="H0669"\w* \w fly|strong="H5774"\w* away. There \w will|strong="H0669"\w* be no more pregnancies, no more births, \w and|strong="H0669"\w* no more babies. 
\v 12 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Israelites \w do|strong="H0518"\w* raise \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*, \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H0518"\w* help, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w take|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w away|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w leave|strong="H5493"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w nothing|strong="H0518"\w* \w but|strong="H3588"\w* troubles.” 
\p
\v 13 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w can|strong="H0834"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* leading \w his|strong="H0834"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w a|strong="H7200"\w* trap. \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w lead|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H0834"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* killer. 
\v 14 \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w*. \w Give|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w womb|strong="H7358"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* loses babies \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w breasts|strong="H7699"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* cannot \w give|strong="H5414"\w* milk. 
\b
\q1
\v 15 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gilgal|strong="H1537"\w*; 
\q2 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* began \w hating|strong="H8130"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* force \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* leave \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* 
\q2 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H3254"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w love|strong="H0160"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w anymore|strong="H3254"\w*. 
\q2 \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w are|strong="H1004"\w* \w rebels|strong="H5637"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w turned|strong="H1004"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\q1
\v 16 \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* punished. 
\q2 \w Their|strong="H3588"\w* \w root|strong="H8328"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w dying|strong="H4191"\w*. 
\q2 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w any|strong="H1571"\w* \w more|strong="H3588"\w* babies. 
\q1 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* might \w give|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* babies, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w kill|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w precious|strong="H4261"\w* babies \w who|strong="H3205"\w* come \w from|strong="H1571"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* bodies. 
\q1
\v 17 \w Those|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H1471"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, 
\q2 \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w refuse|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H1961"\w*. 
\q1 \w And|strong="H0430"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w wander|strong="H5074"\w* \w among|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* home. 
\b
\c  10  
\s1 Israel’s Riches Led to  //  Its Worship of Idols 
\q1
\v 1 \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w a|strong="H0776"\w* \w vine|strong="H1612"\w* 
\q2 \w that|strong="H3478"\w* grows \w plenty|strong="H7230"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w fruit|strong="H6529"\w*. 
\q1 But \w as|strong="H7230"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* got \w more|strong="H7230"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w more|strong="H7230"\w* \w things|strong="H3478"\w*, 
\q2 \w he|strong="H3478"\w* built \w more|strong="H7230"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w more|strong="H7230"\w* \w altars|strong="H4196"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* honor false gods. 
\q1 \w His|strong="H3478"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* became \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w*, 
\q2 \w so|strong="H7230"\w* \w he|strong="H3478"\w* put up \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* stones \w to|strong="H3478"\w* honor false gods. 
\q1
\v 2 \w The|strong="H6258"\w* \w people|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H4196"\w* Israel tried \w to|strong="H3820"\w* trick God, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H6258"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w they|strong="H1931"\w* must accept \w their|strong="H7703"\w* \w guilt|strong="H0816"\w*. 
\q1 \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* \w break|strong="H6202"\w* \w down|strong="H6202"\w* \w their|strong="H7703"\w* \w altars|strong="H4196"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H4196"\w* \w destroy|strong="H7703"\w* \w their|strong="H7703"\w* memorial stones. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H6258"\w* Evil Decisions \w of|strong="H4196"\w* \w the|strong="H6258"\w* Israelites 
\p
\v 3 \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Israelites \w say|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* honor \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w anything|strong="H4100"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w*.” 
\p
\v 4 \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w make|strong="H3772"\w* \w promises|strong="H1697"\w*, \w but|strong="H1696"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* only \w telling|strong="H1696"\w* \w lies|strong="H7723"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* don’t keep \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w promises|strong="H1697"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w make|strong="H3772"\w* agreements \add \+w with|strong="H5921"\+w* other countries. God does not \+w like|strong="H1697"\+w* \+w those|strong="H5921"\+w* agreements\add*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* judges \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w like|strong="H1697"\w* \w poisonous|strong="H7219"\w* \w weeds|strong="H7219"\w* growing \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3772"\w* plowed \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. 
\p
\v 5 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Samaria|strong="H8111"\w* worship \w the|strong="H5921"\w* calves \w at|strong="H5921"\w* Beth Aven.\f + \fr 10:5  \fk Beth Aven \ft A name meaning “House of Evil.” It is a wordplay on the name “Bethel,” a name meaning “House of God.” There was a temple in this town.\f* \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H8111"\w* \w cry|strong="H1523"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w priests|strong="H3649"\w* \w will|strong="H8111"\w* \w cry|strong="H1523"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* beautiful \w idol|strong="H1007"\w* \w is|strong="H3588"\w* \w gone|strong="H4480"\w*. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H8111"\w* \w carried|strong="H1540"\w* \w away|strong="H1540"\w*. 
\v 6 \w It|strong="H3947"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w carried|strong="H2986"\w* \w away|strong="H3947"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w gift|strong="H4503"\w* \w to|strong="H0954"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* great \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w*. \w He|strong="H0853"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w keep|strong="H3947"\w* \w Ephraim’s|strong="H0669"\w* \w shameful|strong="H0954"\w* \w idol|strong="H3478"\w*. \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w ashamed|strong="H0954"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w its|strong="H0853"\w* \w idol|strong="H3478"\w*.\f + \fr 10:6  \fk idol \ft Or “advice.”\f* 
\v 7 \w Samaria’s|strong="H8111"\w* false god\f + \fr 10:7  \fk false god \ft Or “king.”\f* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H1820"\w*. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w like|strong="H8111"\w* \w a|strong="H5921"\w* piece \w of|strong="H4428"\w* wood floating away \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* water’s \w surface|strong="H6440"\w*. 
\p
\v 8 \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2403"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* built many \w high|strong="H1116"\w* \w places|strong="H1116"\w*. \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w high|strong="H1116"\w* \w places|strong="H1116"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* Aven\f + \fr 10:8  \fk high places of Aven \ft Aven means “evil” or “wickedness.” This probably means the temple and other places of worship at Bethel.\f* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3478"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H8045"\w*. \w Thorns|strong="H6975"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w weeds|strong="H6975"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w grow|strong="H5927"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w altars|strong="H4196"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5307"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w*, “\w Cover|strong="H3680"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*!” \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w hills|strong="H1389"\w*, “\w Fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*!” 
\s1 \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w Will|strong="H3478"\w* Pay \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Sin|strong="H2403"\w* 
\p
\v 9 “\w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w* \w since|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. (\w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* continued \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w sin|strong="H2398"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.) \w Those|strong="H1121"\w* evil \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* trapped \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w*. 
\v 10 \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* come \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w punish|strong="H3256"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. Armies \w will|strong="H5869"\w* come \w together|strong="H0622"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w punish|strong="H3256"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israelites \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w both|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H5869"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* sins.\f + \fr 10:10  \ft This probably refers to worship at Gibeah and Beth Aven.\f* 
\p
\v 11 “\w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w is|strong="H0669"\w* \w like|strong="H0157"\w* \w a|strong="H5921"\w* \w trained|strong="H3925"\w* young cow \w that|strong="H5697"\w* \w loves|strong="H0157"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* walk \w on|strong="H5921"\w* grain \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1758"\w* floor. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3063"\w* \w put|strong="H7392"\w* \w a|strong="H5921"\w* \w good|strong="H2898"\w* yoke \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w neck|strong="H6676"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3063"\w* \w put|strong="H7392"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ropes \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5674"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w will|strong="H3063"\w* begin \w plowing|strong="H2790"\w*. \w Jacob|strong="H3290"\w* \w will|strong="H3063"\w* break \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ground \w himself|strong="H0589"\w*.” 
\p
\v 12 If \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w plant|strong="H2232"\w* goodness, \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7114"\w* \w faithful|strong="H2617"\w* \w love|strong="H2617"\w*. Plow \w your|strong="H3068"\w* ground, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7114"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* make goodness \w fall|strong="H0935"\w* \w on|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w like|strong="H5704"\w* \w rain|strong="H3384"\w*. 
\p
\v 13 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* planted \w evil|strong="H7562"\w*, \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* harvested trouble. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w ate|strong="H0398"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w fruit|strong="H6529"\w* \w of|strong="H1870"\w* \w your|strong="H0398"\w* \w lies|strong="H3585"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w trusted|strong="H0982"\w* \w in|strong="H0982"\w* \w your|strong="H0398"\w* power \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w your|strong="H0398"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H1368"\w*. 
\v 14 \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* armies \w will|strong="H1121"\w* hear \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w noise|strong="H7588"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w fortresses|strong="H4013"\w* \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H7703"\w*. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w like|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w Shalman|strong="H8020"\w*\f + \fr 10:14  \fk Shalman \ft This is probably Shalmaneser, king of Assyria.\f* \w destroyed|strong="H7703"\w* Beth Arbel. \w At|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w*, \w mothers|strong="H0517"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* killed \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*. 
\v 15 \w And|strong="H3478"\w* \w this|strong="H3602"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* happen \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*, \w because|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* many \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H3478"\w*. \w When|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w day|strong="H7837"\w* begins, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3478"\w* fully \w destroyed|strong="H1820"\w*. 
\c 11  
\s1 Israel Has Forgotten the Lord 
\q1
\v 1 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* Lord said, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w loved|strong="H0157"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w child|strong="H5288"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* out \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. 
\q1
\v 2 \w But|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w more|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w*\f + \fr 11:2  \fk I \ft This is from the ancient Greek version. The standard Hebrew text has “they.”\f* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelites, 
\q2 \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w more|strong="H3651"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w left|strong="H1980"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*. 
\q1 \w The|strong="H6440"\w* Israelites \w gave|strong="H7121"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H6999"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* false \w gods|strong="H1980"\w*\f + \fr 11:2  \fk false gods \ft Literally, “Baals.”\f* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w burned|strong="H6999"\w* \w incense|strong="H6999"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w idols|strong="H6456"\w*. 
\b
\q1
\v 3 “\w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w was|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H3588"\w* \w taught|strong="H3045"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* walk. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israelites \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w arms|strong="H2220"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w healed|strong="H7495"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w*. 
\q1
\v 4 \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w led|strong="H4900"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w*,\f + \fr 11:4  \fk ropes \ft The Hebrew says, “ropes of a man.”\f* 
\q2 \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w love|strong="H0160"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w person|strong="H0120"\w* \w who|strong="H0120"\w* \w set|strong="H7311"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* free.\f + \fr 11:4  \fk set them free \ft Literally, “lifted the yoke from their jaws.”\f* 
\q2 \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w bent|strong="H5186"\w* \w down|strong="H5186"\w* \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w fed|strong="H0398"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 5 “\w The|strong="H3588"\w* Israelites \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w become|strong="H7725"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w refused|strong="H3985"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w turn|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w*. 
\v 6 \w The|strong="H0398"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w will|strong="H2719"\w* swing \w against|strong="H2719"\w* \w their|strong="H0398"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w kill|strong="H2719"\w* \w their|strong="H0398"\w* strong men. \w It|strong="H0398"\w* \w will|strong="H2719"\w* \w destroy|strong="H3615"\w* \w their|strong="H0398"\w* leaders. 
\p
\v 7 “\w My|strong="H7311"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* expect \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* come \w back|strong="H0413"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w above|strong="H0413"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w help|strong="H5971"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*.”\f + \fr 11:7  \ft Or “My people are hanging \+add on poles\+add* around my dwelling place. They called up to him, but he didn’t lift them up.”\f* 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0413"\w* Lord \w Will|strong="H3808"\w* \w Not|strong="H3808"\w* Destroy \w Israel|strong="H5971"\w* 
\q1
\v 8 “\w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* don’t want \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\q2 \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* want \w to|strong="H5921"\w* protect \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H5414"\w* don’t want \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w make|strong="H7760"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w Admah|strong="H0126"\w*. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H5414"\w* don’t want \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w make|strong="H7760"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w Zeboiim|strong="H6636"\w*.\f + \fr 11:8  \fk Admah, Zeboiim \ft Two cities that were destroyed when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. See Genesis 19; Deuteronomy 29:23.\f* 
\q1 \w I|strong="H5414"\w* am changing \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w mind|strong="H3820"\w*. 
\q2 \w My|strong="H5414"\w* love \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w too|strong="H5921"\w* strong. 
\q1
\v 9 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w let|strong="H3808"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* terrible \w anger|strong="H0639"\w* win. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w destroy|strong="H7843"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w God|strong="H0410"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* human. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Holy|strong="H6918"\w* \w One|strong="H0376"\w*. 
\q1 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w with|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w show|strong="H6213"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* \w anger|strong="H0639"\w*. 
\q1
\v 10 \w I|strong="H3588"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w roar|strong="H7580"\w* \w like|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w lion|strong="H0738"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H2729"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w follow|strong="H0310"\w* \w me|strong="H0310"\w*. 
\q1 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H2729"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w west|strong="H3220"\w*, 
\q2 shaking \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w fear|strong="H2729"\w*. 
\q1
\v 11 \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H2729"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, 
\q2 shaking \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w birds|strong="H6833"\w*. 
\q1 \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H2729"\w* shaking \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w doves|strong="H3123"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0776"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H3427"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w back|strong="H1004"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.” 
\q2 \w This|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* said. 
\q1
\v 12 “Ephraim surrounded me with false gods. 
\q2 The people of Israel turned against me.\f + \fr 11:12  \fk Ephraim … me \ft Or “Ephraim surrounded me with lies. The house of Israel surrounded me with deception.”\f* 
\q1 But Judah still walks with God\f + \fr 11:12  \fk God \ft Literally, “El.” This might be one of the names of God, or it might be El, the most important god of the Canaanites. It is not clear if this means Judah was being faithful to God or if Judah was worshiping the false gods.\f* 
\q2 and is true to the Holy One.\f + \fr 11:12  \fk Holy One \ft This is a plural form in the Hebrew text and may refer to God or to Canaanite false gods.\f*” 
\b
\c  12  
\s1 The Lord Is Against Israel 
\p
\v 1 \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w is|strong="H0669"\w* wasting its \w time|strong="H5750"\w*; \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* “chases \w the|strong="H5973"\w* wind” \w all|strong="H5750"\w* day \w long|strong="H5750"\w*. \w The|strong="H5973"\w* people tell \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w lies|strong="H3585"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* steal \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w*. \w They|strong="H4820"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w made|strong="H5437"\w* agreements \w with|strong="H5973"\w* Assyria, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w they|strong="H4820"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* carrying \w their|strong="H5437"\w* olive oil \w to|strong="H3478"\w* Egypt. 
\p
\v 2 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* LORD says, “\w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3605"\w* \w a|strong="H3772"\w* complaint \w against|strong="H5973"\w* Israel.\f + \fr 12:2  \fk Israel \ft Literally, “Judah.”\f* Jacob must \w be|strong="H3117"\w* punished \w for|strong="H4714"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* bad \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w did|strong="H3117"\w*. 
\v 3 \w While|strong="H5973"\w* \w Jacob|strong="H3290"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w still|strong="H7725"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* mother’s womb, \w he|strong="H3068"\w* began \w to|strong="H7725"\w* trick \w his|strong="H5921"\w* brother.\f + \fr 12:3  \fk he … his brother \ft Or “he grabbed his brother’s heel.” This is a wordplay. The Hebrew word is like the name “Jacob.” Read Genesis 25:26.\f* \w Jacob|strong="H3290"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H5921"\w* strong young man, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* time \w he|strong="H3068"\w* fought \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*. 
\v 4 Jacob \w wrestled|strong="H8280"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* angel \w and|strong="H0430"\w* won.\f + \fr 12:4  \fk Jacob wrestled … and won \ft Read Genesis 32:22-28.\f* \w He|strong="H0430"\w* cried \w and|strong="H0430"\w* asked \w for|strong="H0430"\w* \w a|strong="H0251"\w* favor. \w That|strong="H0854"\w* happened \w at|strong="H0430"\w* Bethel. There \w he|strong="H0430"\w* spoke \w to|strong="H0430"\w* \w us|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\v 5 Yes, YAHWEH \w is|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w God|strong="H1008"\w* \w of|strong="H4397"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* armies.\f + \fr 12:5  \fk YAHWEH is the God of the armies \ft This is like one of the names for God. It is usually translated “LORD All-Powerful.”\f* \w His|strong="H0413"\w* name \w is|strong="H8033"\w* YAHWEH. 
\v 6 So \w come|strong="H6635"\w* back \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w Be|strong="H3068"\w* \w loyal|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H0430"\w*. Do \w the|strong="H3068"\w* right thing, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* always trust \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*! 
\p
\v 7 “Jacob \w is|strong="H0430"\w* \w a|strong="H7725"\w* tricky merchant.\f + \fr 12:7  \fk Jacob … merchant \ft Literally, “Cannan.”\f* \w He|strong="H0430"\w* even cheats \w his|strong="H8104"\w* friend! Even \w his|strong="H8104"\w* scales\f + \fr 12:7  \fk scales \ft Or “balances,” a tool for weighing things.\f* lie. 
\v 8 Ephraim said, ‘\w I|strong="H3027"\w* am rich! \w I|strong="H3027"\w* \w have|strong="H0157"\w* found true riches! No \w one|strong="H3027"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* learn about \w my|strong="H3027"\w* crimes. No \w one|strong="H3027"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* learn about \w my|strong="H3027"\w* sins.’ 
\p
\v 9 “\w But|strong="H0389"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* am \w still|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* LORD \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0559"\w*, \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w when|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w left|strong="H4672"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land \w of|strong="H3605"\w* Egypt. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* make \w you|strong="H0834"\w* live \w in|strong="H4672"\w* tents, \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w during|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Festival \w of|strong="H3605"\w* Shelters.\f + \fr 12:9  \fk as … Shelters \ft Literally, “as in the days of meeting.” This might also refer to the meeting of God with his people in the Holy Tent (see “Holy Tent” in the Word List) during their wandering in the desert.\f* 
\v 10 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* spoke \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* prophets \w and|strong="H3068"\w* gave \w them|strong="H3427"\w* many visions. \w I|strong="H0595"\w* gave \w the|strong="H3068"\w* prophets many ways \w to|strong="H3068"\w* teach \w my|strong="H3068"\w* lessons \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w*. 
\v 11 \w But|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1696"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* Gilead \w have|strong="H5030"\w* sinned. There \w are|strong="H3027"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* \w terrible|strong="H7235"\w* idols \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3027"\w* \w place|strong="H3027"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* offer sacrifices \w to|strong="H1696"\w* bulls \w at|strong="H5921"\w* Gilgal. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H5030"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* altars. There \w are|strong="H3027"\w* rows \w and|strong="H3027"\w* rows \w of|strong="H3027"\w* altars—\w like|strong="H1819"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* rows \w of|strong="H3027"\w* dirt \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H1696"\w* plowed field. 
\p
\v 12 “Jacob \w ran|strong="H1961"\w* away \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w land|strong="H7704"\w* \w of|strong="H4196"\w* Aram. \w There|strong="H1961"\w* Israel worked \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* wife. \w He|strong="H0518"\w* kept sheep \w to|strong="H1961"\w* get \w another|strong="H1571"\w* wife. 
\v 13 \w But|strong="H3290"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* LORD \w used|strong="H5647"\w* \w a|strong="H3290"\w* prophet \w and|strong="H3478"\w* brought \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* out \w of|strong="H0802"\w* Egypt. \w He|strong="H0802"\w* \w used|strong="H5647"\w* \w a|strong="H3290"\w* prophet \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w kept|strong="H8104"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* safe. 
\v 14 \w But|strong="H3068"\w* Ephraim \w made|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* very angry. Ephraim killed many people, \w so|strong="H5927"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3478"\w* punished \w for|strong="H4714"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* crimes. \w His|strong="H8104"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* make \w him|strong="H0853"\w* bear \w his|strong="H8104"\w* shame.” 
\c 13  
\s1 Israel Has Ruined Itself 
\p
\v 1 “\w The|strong="H5375"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4191"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w made|strong="H1696"\w* \w itself|strong="H1931"\w* very important \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w people|strong="H1696"\w* shook \w with|strong="H1696"\w* fear. \w But|strong="H1696"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* sinned \w by|strong="H3478"\w* worshiping \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w*, \w so|strong="H4191"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*. 
\v 2 \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelites \w sin|strong="H2398"\w* \w more|strong="H3254"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w more|strong="H3254"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w idols|strong="H6091"\w* \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w themselves|strong="H1992"\w*. \w Workers|strong="H6213"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* fancy statues \w from|strong="H3701"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w then|strong="H6258"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* talk \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* statues. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w offer|strong="H2076"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2076"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* kiss \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w calf|strong="H5695"\w* \w idols|strong="H6091"\w*. 
\v 3 \w That|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w why|strong="H3651"\w* \w those|strong="H1961"\w* people \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w soon|strong="H7925"\w* disappear. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* fog \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w comes|strong="H1961"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w quickly|strong="H7925"\w* \w disappears|strong="H1980"\w*. \w The|strong="H1961"\w* Israelites \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w chaff|strong="H4671"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w blown|strong="H5590"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w*. \w The|strong="H1961"\w* Israelites \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w smoke|strong="H6227"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w goes|strong="H1980"\w* \w out|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* window \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w disappears|strong="H1980"\w*. 
\p
\v 4 “\w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* since \w the|strong="H3068"\w* time \w you|strong="H3045"\w* \w were|strong="H4714"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. \w You|strong="H3045"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w any|strong="H0369"\w* \w other|strong="H0369"\w* \w god|strong="H0430"\w* \w except|strong="H2108"\w* \w me|strong="H3467"\w*. \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w saved|strong="H3467"\w* \w you|strong="H3045"\w*. 
\v 5 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H3045"\w* \w in|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0589"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*—\w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H3045"\w* \w in|strong="H0776"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* dry \w land|strong="H0776"\w*. 
\v 6 \w I|strong="H3651"\w* gave food \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israelites, \w and|strong="H3820"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* ate \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w became|strong="H7311"\w* \w full|strong="H7646"\w* \w and|strong="H3820"\w* \w satisfied|strong="H7646"\w*. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w became|strong="H7311"\w* \w proud|strong="H7311"\w*, \w and|strong="H3820"\w* \w then|strong="H3651"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w forgot|strong="H7911"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\p
\v 7 “\w That|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H1870"\w* why \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w lion|strong="H7826"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w leopard|strong="H5246"\w* waiting \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w*. 
\v 8 \w I|strong="H8033"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* attack \w them|strong="H0398"\w* \w like|strong="H3820"\w* \w a|strong="H8033"\w* \w bear|strong="H1677"\w* \w whose|strong="H8033"\w* cubs were \w robbed|strong="H6298"\w* \w from|strong="H3820"\w* \w her|strong="H7167"\w*. \w I|strong="H8033"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* attack \w them|strong="H0398"\w* \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w rip|strong="H1234"\w* \w open|strong="H1234"\w* \w their|strong="H0398"\w* chests. \w I|strong="H8033"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* \w like|strong="H3820"\w* \w a|strong="H8033"\w* lion \w or|strong="H7704"\w* other \w wild|strong="H7704"\w* \w animal|strong="H2416"\w* tearing \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w eating|strong="H0398"\w* \w its|strong="H0398"\w* prey. 
\s1 Israel Cannot \w Be|strong="H3820"\w* Saved  //  \w From|strong="H3820"\w* God’s Anger 
\p
\v 9 “\w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* helped \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* turned against \w me|strong="H3588"\w*. \w So|strong="H3588"\w* \w now|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w destroy|strong="H7843"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. 
\v 10 \w Where|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*? \w Can|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w save|strong="H3467"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w*? \w Where|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w judges|strong="H8199"\w*? \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, ‘\w Give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w*.’\f + \fr 13:10  \fk You asked for … leaders \ft See 1 Sam. 8:4-9.\f* 
\v 11 \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w angry|strong="H0639"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* when \w I|strong="H5414"\w* became very \w angry|strong="H0639"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w away|strong="H3947"\w*. 
\b
\q1
\v 12 “\w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* tried \w to|strong="H5771"\w* \w hide|strong="H6845"\w* his \w guilt|strong="H5771"\w*. 
\q2 He thought his \w sins|strong="H2403"\w* \w were|strong="H0669"\w* \w a|strong="H5771"\w* \w secret|strong="H6845"\w*, 
\q2 but he \w will|strong="H0669"\w* be punished. 
\q1
\v 13 \w His|strong="H0935"\w* punishment \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* pain \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* woman \w giving|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w*. 
\q2 \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*. 
\q1 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H0935"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* survive. 
\b
\q1
\v 14 “\w I|strong="H3027"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* save \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* grave. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H3027"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* \w rescue|strong="H6299"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w*. 
\q1 \w Death|strong="H4194"\w*, \w where|strong="H0165"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* \w your|strong="H5641"\w* \w diseases|strong="H1698"\w*? 
\q2 Grave, \w where|strong="H0165"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w your|strong="H5641"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w*? 
\q2 \w I|strong="H3027"\w* am not looking \w for|strong="H3027"\w* revenge. 
\q1
\v 15 Israel \w grows|strong="H5927"\w* \w among|strong="H0996"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w*, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* powerful \w east|strong="H6921"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*—\w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w blow|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*. 
\q1 \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w well|strong="H4726"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w dry|strong="H0954"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w*. 
\q2 \w His|strong="H3605"\w* \w spring|strong="H4599"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* water \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w dry|strong="H0954"\w*. 
\q2 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H0935"\w* \w away|strong="H5927"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* value. 
\q1
\v 16 Samaria must be punished 
\q2 because she turned against her God. 
\q1 The Israelites will be killed with swords. 
\q2 Their children will be torn to pieces, 
\q2 and their pregnant women will be ripped open.” 
\b
\c  14  
\s1 Return to the Lord 
\p
\v 1 Israel, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* sinned \w against|strong="H4784"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w So|strong="H3588"\w* \w come|strong="H5307"\w* back \w to|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* LORD \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 2 Think \w about|strong="H7725"\w* \w what|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w say|strong="H3478"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w Say|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w*, 
\b
\q1 “\w Take|strong="H7725"\w* \w away|strong="H7725"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w sin|strong="H5771"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H3068"\w* accept these words \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* sacrifice. 
\q2 \w We|strong="H3588"\w* offer \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w praise|strong="H3588"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* lips.\f + \fr 14:2  \fk praise from our lips \ft Literally, “the fruit of our lips.”\f* 
\q1
\v 3 Assyria \w will|strong="H3068"\w* not save \w us|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\q2 \w We|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* not ride \w on|strong="H0413"\w* war horses. 
\q1 \w We|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* never \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*, ‘\w Our|strong="H3068"\w* God’ 
\q2 \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w something|strong="H1697"\w* \w we|strong="H3605"\w* \w made|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* hands. 
\q1 \w This|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w because|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* 
\q2 \w shows|strong="H5375"\w* \w mercy|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* orphans.” 
\s1 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w Will|strong="H3068"\w* \w Forgive|strong="H5375"\w* Israel 
\q1
\v 4 \w The|strong="H0559"\w* Lord \w says|strong="H0559"\w*, 
\q1 “\w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* forgive \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* leaving \w me|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w show|strong="H7355"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w love|strong="H7355"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* limits, 
\q2 \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* stopped \w being|strong="H0430"\w* angry. 
\q1
\v 5 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H7725"\w* \w be|strong="H7725"\w* \w like|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* dew \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Israel. 
\q2 Israel \w will|strong="H7725"\w* blossom \w like|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* lily. 
\q2 \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H7725"\w* grow \w like|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* cedar trees \w of|strong="H4480"\w* Lebanon. 
\q1
\v 6 \w His|strong="H1961"\w* branches \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w grow|strong="H6524"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* beautiful olive tree. 
\q1 \w He|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* sweet smell 
\q2 \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* cedar trees \w of|strong="H2919"\w* \w Lebanon|strong="H3844"\w*. 
\q1
\v 7 \w The|strong="H1961"\w* people \w of|strong="H1961"\w* Israel \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w again|strong="H1961"\w* live under \w my|strong="H1961"\w* protection. 
\q2 They \w will|strong="H1961"\w* grow \w like|strong="H1961"\w* grain. 
\q1 They \w will|strong="H1961"\w* bloom \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* vine. 
\q2 They \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* wine \w of|strong="H1961"\w* \w Lebanon|strong="H3844"\w*. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H1961"\w* Lord Warns Israel \w About|strong="H1961"\w* Idols 
\q1
\v 8 “Ephraim, \w I|strong="H6738"\w* \w will|strong="H3844"\w* \w have|strong="H1612"\w* nothing more \w to|strong="H7725"\w* do \w with|strong="H3427"\w* idols. 
\q2 \w I|strong="H6738"\w* am \w the|strong="H7725"\w* one \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w answers|strong="H7725"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* prayers \w and|strong="H7725"\w* watches over \w you|strong="H7725"\w*.\f + \fr 14:8  \fk and watches over you \ft This is a wordplay. The Hebrew word is like the name “Assyria.” God is saying that he, not some foreign country, protects Israel.\f* 
\q1 \w I|strong="H6738"\w* am \w like|strong="H7725"\w* \w a|strong="H7725"\w* fir tree \w that|strong="H7725"\w* \w is|strong="H1715"\w* always green. 
\q2 \w Your|strong="H7725"\w* fruit comes \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*.” 
\s1 Final Advice 
\q1
\v 9 \w A|strong="H4672"\w* wise person understands these things, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H0669"\w* \w a|strong="H4672"\w* smart person \w should|strong="H4100"\w* learn \w them|strong="H4672"\w*. 
\q1 \w The|strong="H0589"\w* LORD’S ways \w are|strong="H4100"\w* right. 
\q2 Good people \w will|strong="H0589"\w* live \w by|strong="H4480"\w* \w them|strong="H4672"\w*. 
\q2 Sinners \w will|strong="H0589"\w* die \w by|strong="H4480"\w* \w them|strong="H4672"\w*.\f + \fr 14:9  \fk Good … die by them \ft Literally, “Good people will walk on them. Sinners will stumble on them.”\f* 