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Hosea

Uses the prophet's marriage as a symbol for Israel's unfaithfulness and God's faithful love.

Chapter 13

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

*When Ephraim spoke fearfully, he was proud in Israel. But when he sinned with Baal, he died.

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.

*Now, people keep on sinning a lot. They make statues from their silver and create idols based on what they understand. All this work is done by skilled workers. They tell others to let those who offer sacrifices to also kiss the statues.

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.

*So, they will be like a morning cloud and quickly disappearing dew, like chaff blown away by the wind, and like smoke vanishing from a chimney.

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.

*"But I am your God from Egypt, and you must not follow any other gods. There is no one else who can save you like I can."

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

*I knew you in the desert, in the land with severe dryness.

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

*Based on their grazing land, they were satisfied; they became full and felt proud; that's why they forgot about me.

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

*So, I will act like a fierce lion towards them, and like a sneaky leopard, I will watch them closely.

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.

*I will confront them like a grieving mother bear protecting her cubs, tearing open their hearts, and eating them like a lion. A wild animal will then rip them apart.

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

*O Israel, you have destroyed yourself, but I am your help.

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?

*I will be your ruler. Who else can rescue you in all your towns? And what judges did you say, "Give me a king and nobles?"

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

*I chose a ruler when I was angry, and removed him when I was furious.

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

*Ephraim's wrongdoing is bundled; his sin is concealed.

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.

*If a man causes pain to a pregnant woman, he's foolish; he shouldn't stay too long where babies are born.

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.

*I will save them from the grip of death; I will rescue them from dying: Death, I will bring you ruin; Grave, I will destroy you: I won't accept repentance.

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.

*Even if someone is successful with their family, a strong east wind will come from God, blowing from the desert. This wind will dry up their water source and their fountain will have no water left. As a result, they will destroy all the nice things they have.

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.

*Samaria will be empty because it disobeyed its God. People there will be killed with swords, babies will be broken, and pregnant women will be hurt.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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