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Blow the horn in Gib′e-ah,
    the trumpet in Ramah.
Sound the alarm at Beth-a′ven;
    tremble,[a] O Benjamin!
E′phraim shall become a desolation
    in the day of punishment;
among the tribes of Israel
    I declare what is sure.
10 The princes of Judah have become
    like those who remove the landmark;
upon them I will pour out
    my wrath like water.
11 E′phraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment,
    because he was determined to go after vanity.[b]
12 Therefore I am like a moth to E′phraim,
    and like dry rot to the house of Judah.

13 When E′phraim saw his sickness,
    and Judah his wound,
then E′phraim went to Assyria,
    and sent to the great king.[c]
But he is not able to cure you
    or heal your wound.
14 For I will be like a lion to E′phraim,
    and like a young lion to the house of Judah.
I, even I, will rend and go away,
    I will carry off, and none shall rescue.

15 I will return again to my place,
    until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face,
    and in their distress they seek me, saying,

A Call to Repentance

“Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn, that he may heal us;
    he has stricken, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
    on the third day he will raise us up,
    that we may live before him.
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
    his going forth is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
    as the spring rains that water the earth.”

Impenitence of Israel and Judah

What shall I do with you, O E′phraim?
    What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
    like the dew that goes early away.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets,
    I have slain them by the words of my mouth,
    and my judgment goes forth as the light.[d]
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
    the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 5:8 Cn Compare Gk: Heb after you
  2. Hosea 5:11 Gk: Heb a command
  3. Hosea 5:13 Cn: Heb a king that will contend
  4. Hosea 6:5 Gk Syr: Heb thy judgment goes forth

“Sound the trumpet(A) in Gibeah,(B)
    the horn in Ramah.(C)
Raise the battle cry in Beth Aven[a];(D)
    lead on, Benjamin.
Ephraim will be laid waste(E)
    on the day of reckoning.(F)
Among the tribes of Israel
    I proclaim what is certain.(G)
10 Judah’s leaders are like those
    who move boundary stones.(H)
I will pour out my wrath(I) on them
    like a flood of water.
11 Ephraim is oppressed,
    trampled in judgment,
    intent on pursuing idols.[b](J)
12 I am like a moth(K) to Ephraim,
    like rot(L) to the people of Judah.

13 “When Ephraim(M) saw his sickness,
    and Judah his sores,
then Ephraim turned to Assyria,(N)
    and sent to the great king for help.(O)
But he is not able to cure(P) you,
    not able to heal your sores.(Q)
14 For I will be like a lion(R) to Ephraim,
    like a great lion to Judah.
I will tear them to pieces(S) and go away;
    I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them.(T)
15 Then I will return to my lair(U)
    until they have borne their guilt(V)
    and seek my face(W)
in their misery(X)
    they will earnestly seek me.(Y)

Israel Unrepentant

“Come, let us return(Z) to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces(AA)
    but he will heal us;(AB)
he has injured us
    but he will bind up our wounds.(AC)
After two days he will revive us;(AD)
    on the third day(AE) he will restore(AF) us,
    that we may live in his presence.
Let us acknowledge the Lord;
    let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
    he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,(AG)
    like the spring rains that water the earth.(AH)

“What can I do with you, Ephraim?(AI)
    What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
    like the early dew that disappears.(AJ)
Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,
    I killed you with the words of my mouth(AK)
    then my judgments go forth like the sun.[c](AL)
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,(AM)
    and acknowledgment(AN) of God rather than burnt offerings.(AO)

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 5:8 Beth Aven means house of wickedness (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means house of God).
  2. Hosea 5:11 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  3. Hosea 6:5 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

11 And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Messengers from John the Baptist

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”

Jesus Praises John the Baptist

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man[a] clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?[b] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

‘Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,
who shall prepare thy way before thee.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,[c] and men of violence take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John; 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Eli′jah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear,[d] let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates,

17 ‘We piped to you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”[e]

Woes to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chora′zin! woe to you, Beth-sa′ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Caper′na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Jesus Thanks His Father

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; 26 yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.[f] 27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 11:8 Or What then did you go out to see? A man . . .
  2. Matthew 11:9 Other ancient authorities read What then did you go out to see? A prophet?
  3. Matthew 11:12 Or has been coming violently
  4. Matthew 11:15 Other ancient authorities omit to hear
  5. Matthew 11:19 Other ancient authorities read children (Lk 7.35)
  6. Matthew 11:26 Or so it was well-pleasing before thee

Jesus and John the Baptist(A)

11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples,(B) he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[a]

When John,(C) who was in prison,(D) heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come,(E) or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.(F) Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”(G)

As John’s(H) disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness(I) to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?(J) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,(K)
    who will prepare your way before you.’[c](L)

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,[d] and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.(M) 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.(N) 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.(O)

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
    and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating(P) nor drinking,(Q) and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’(R) But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Woe on Unrepentant Towns(S)

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!(T) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,(U) they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.(V) 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.(W) 23 And you, Capernaum,(X) will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[e](Y) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”(Z)

The Father Revealed in the Son(AA)

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,(AB) Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.(AC) 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me(AD) by my Father.(AE) No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.(AF)

28 “Come to me,(AG) all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(AH) 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,(AI) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(AJ) 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(AK)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 11:1 Greek in their towns
  2. Matthew 11:5 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  3. Matthew 11:10 Mal. 3:1
  4. Matthew 11:12 Or been forcefully advancing
  5. Matthew 11:23 That is, the realm of the dead

Israel’s Apostasy

Set the trumpet to your lips,
for[a] a vulture is over the house of the Lord,
because they have broken my covenant,
    and transgressed my law.
To me they cry,
    My God, we Israel know thee.
Israel has spurned the good;
    the enemy shall pursue him.

They made kings, but not through me.
    They set up princes, but without my knowledge.
With their silver and gold they made idols
    for their own destruction.
I have[b] spurned your calf, O Samar′ia.
    My anger burns against them.
How long will it be
    till they are pure in Israel?[c]

A workman made it;
    it is not God.
The calf of Samar′ia
    shall be broken to pieces.[d]

For they sow the wind,
    and they shall reap the whirlwind.
The standing grain has no heads,
    it shall yield no meal;
if it were to yield,
    aliens would devour it.
Israel is swallowed up;
    already they are among the nations
    as a useless vessel.
For they have gone up to Assyria,
    a wild ass wandering alone;
    E′phraim has hired lovers.
10 Though they hire allies among the nations,
    I will soon gather them up.
And they shall cease[e] for a little while
    from anointing[f] king and princes.

11 Because E′phraim has multiplied altars for sinning,
    they have become to him altars for sinning.
12 Were I to write for him my laws by ten thousands,
    they would be regarded as a strange thing.
13 They love sacrifice;[g]
    they sacrifice flesh and eat it;
    but the Lord has no delight in them.
Now he will remember their iniquity,
    and punish their sins;
    they shall return to Egypt.
14 For Israel has forgotten his Maker,
    and built palaces;
and Judah has multiplied fortified cities;
    but I will send a fire upon his cities,
    and it shall devour his strongholds.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 8:1 Cn: Heb as
  2. Hosea 8:5 Heb He has
  3. Hosea 8:6 Gk: Heb for from Israel
  4. Hosea 8:6 Or shall go up in flames
  5. Hosea 8:10 Gk: Heb begin
  6. Hosea 8:10 Gk: Heb burden
  7. Hosea 8:13 Cn: Heb uncertain

Israel to Reap the Whirlwind

“Put the trumpet(A) to your lips!
    An eagle(B) is over the house of the Lord
because the people have broken my covenant(C)
    and rebelled against my law.(D)
Israel cries out to me,
    ‘Our God, we acknowledge you!’
But Israel has rejected what is good;
    an enemy will pursue him.(E)
They set up kings without my consent;
    they choose princes without my approval.(F)
With their silver and gold
    they make idols(G) for themselves
    to their own destruction.
Samaria, throw out your calf-idol!(H)
    My anger burns against them.
How long will they be incapable of purity?(I)
    They are from Israel!
This calf—a metalworker has made it;
    it is not God.(J)
It will be broken in pieces,
    that calf(K) of Samaria.(L)

“They sow the wind
    and reap the whirlwind.(M)
The stalk has no head;
    it will produce no flour.(N)
Were it to yield grain,
    foreigners would swallow it up.(O)
Israel is swallowed up;(P)
    now she is among the nations
    like something no one wants.(Q)
For they have gone up to Assyria(R)
    like a wild donkey(S) wandering alone.
    Ephraim has sold herself to lovers.(T)
10 Although they have sold themselves among the nations,
    I will now gather them together.(U)
They will begin to waste away(V)
    under the oppression of the mighty king.

11 “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings,
    these have become altars for sinning.(W)
12 I wrote for them the many things of my law,
    but they regarded them as something foreign.(X)
13 Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me,
    and though they eat(Y) the meat,
    the Lord is not pleased with them.(Z)
Now he will remember(AA) their wickedness
    and punish their sins:(AB)
    They will return to Egypt.(AC)
14 Israel has forgotten(AD) their Maker(AE)
    and built palaces;
    Judah has fortified many towns.
But I will send fire on their cities
    that will consume their fortresses.”(AF)

The Nature of Christian Freedom

Now I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working[a] through love. You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine; and he who is troubling you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brethren, still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would mutilate themselves!

13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another.

The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, 21 envy,[b] drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 5:6 Or made effective
  2. Galatians 5:21 Other ancient authorities add murder

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,(A) Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.(B) You who are trying to be justified by the law(C) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.(D) For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.(E) For in Christ Jesus(F) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.(G) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.(H)

You were running a good race.(I) Who cut in on you(J) to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.(K) “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”(L) 10 I am confident(M) in the Lord that you will take no other view.(N) The one who is throwing you into confusion,(O) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?(P) In that case the offense(Q) of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators,(R) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.(S) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a];(T) rather, serve one another(U) humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b](V) 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit,(W) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.(X) 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.(Y) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want.(Z) 18 But if you are led by the Spirit,(AA) you are not under the law.(AB)

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,(AC) impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.(AD) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.(AE)

22 But the fruit(AF) of the Spirit is love,(AG) joy, peace,(AH) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.(AI) Against such things there is no law.(AJ) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh(AK) with its passions and desires.(AL) 25 Since we live by the Spirit,(AM) let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,(AN) provoking and envying each other.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.
  2. Galatians 5:14 Lev. 19:18
  3. Galatians 5:17 Or you do not do what