HO-13:1  When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in

Israel; but when

he offended in Baal, he died.

HO-13:2  And now they sin more and more, and have made them

molten images of

their silver, [and] idols according to their own understanding,

all of it the

work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that

sacrifice kiss the

calves.

HO-13:3  Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as

the early dew

that passeth away, as the chaff [that] is driven with the

whirlwind out of the

floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

HO-13:4  Yet I [am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and

thou shalt

know no god but me: for [there is] no saviour beside me.

HO-13:5  I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great

drought.

HO-13:6  According to their pasture, so were they filled; they

were filled,

and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

HO-13:7  Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard

by the way will

I observe [them]:

HO-13:8  I will meet them as a bear [that is] bereaved [of her

whelps], and

will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them

like a lion:

the wild beast shall tear them.

HO-13:9  O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me [is]

thine help.

HO-13:10  I will be thy king: where [is any other] that may save

thee in all

thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king

and princes?

HO-13:11  I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took [him] away

in my wrath.

HO-13:12  The iniquity of Ephraim [is] bound up; his sin [is]

hid.

HO-13:13  The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him:

he [is] an

unwise son; for he should not stay long in [the place of] the

breaking forth

of children.

HO-13:14  I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will

redeem them

from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be

thy

destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

HO-13:15  Though he be fruitful among [his] brethren, an east

wind shall come,

the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his

spring shall

become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil

the treasure of

all pleasant vessels.

HO-13:16  Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled

against her

God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed

in pieces,

and their women with child shall be ripped up.

~~~~~~