Hosea 8

Chapter 8

Israel Harvests the Whirlwind

1 “Sound the alarm!
The enemy descends like an eagle on the people of the LORD,
for they have broken my covenant
and revolted against my law.2 Now Israel pleads with me,
‘Help us, for you are our God!’3 But it is too late.
The people of Israel have rejected what is good,
and now their enemies will chase after them.4 The people have appointed kings without my consent,
and princes without my knowledge.
By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold,
they have brought about their own destruction.5 “O Samaria, I reject this calf—
this idol you have made.
My fury burns against you.
How long will you be incapable of innocence?6 This calf you worship, O Israel,
was crafted by your own hands!
It is not God!
Therefore, it must be smashed to bits.7 “They have planted the wind
and will harvest the whirlwind.
The stalks of grain wither
and produce nothing to eat.
And even if there is any grain,
foreigners will eat it.8 The people of Israel have been swallowed up;
they lie among the nations like an old discarded pot.9 Like a wild donkey looking for a mate,
they have gone up to Assyria.
The people of Israelt have sold themselves—
sold themselves to many lovers.10 But though they have sold themselves to many allies,
I will now gather them together for judgment.
Then they will writhe
under the burden of the great king.11 “Israel has built many altars to take away sin,
but these very altars became places for sinning!12 Even though I gave them all my laws,
they act as if those laws don’t apply to them.13 The people of Israel love their rituals of sacrifice,
but to me their sacrifices are all meaningless.
I will hold my people accountable for their sins,
and I will punish them.
They will return to Egypt.14 Israel has forgotten its Maker and built great palaces,
and Judah has fortified its cities.
Therefore, I will send down fire on their cities
and will burn up their fortresses.”

HOSEA 8

Israel Rejects the [Lord]

The [Lord] said:

1 Sound a warning!
Israel, you broke our agreement
and ignored my teaching.
Now an eaglet is swooping down
to attack my land.

2 Israel, you say, “We claim you,
the [Lord], as our God.”

3 But your enemies
will chase you for rejecting
our good agreement.t

4 You chose kings and leaders
without consulting me;
you made silver and gold idols
that led to your downfall.

5 City of Samaria, I'm angry
because of your idol
in the shape of a calf.
When will you ever
be innocent again?

6 Someone from Israel built
that idol for you,
but only I am God.
And so it will be smashed
to pieces.t

7 If you scatter wind
instead of wheat,
you will harvest a whirlwind
and have no wheat.
Even if you harvest grain,
enemies will steal it all.

8 Israel, you are ruined,
and now the nations
consider you worthless.

9 You are like a wild donkey
that goes its own way.
You've run off to Assyria
and hired them as allies.

10 You can bargain with nations,
but I'll catch you anyway.
Soon you will suffer abuse
by kings and rulers.

11 Israel, you have built
many altars where you offer
sacrifices for sin.
But these altars have become
places for sin.

12 My instructions for sacrifices
were written in detail,
but you ignored them.

13 You sacrifice your best animals
and eat the sacrificial meals, t
but I, the [Lord],
refuse your offerings.
I will remember your sins
and punish you.
Then you will return to Egypt.t

14 Israel, I created you,
but you forgot me.
You and Judah built palaces
and many strong cities.t
Now I will send fire to destroy
your towns and fortresses.