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Hosea 5:8-6:6
Good News Translation
Hosea 5:8-6:6
Good News Translation
War between Judah and Israel
8 Blow the war trumpets in Gibeah! Sound the alarm in Ramah! Raise the war cry at Bethaven![a] Into battle, men of Benjamin! 9 The day of punishment is coming, and Israel will be ruined. People of Israel, this will surely happen!
10 The Lord says, “I am angry because the leaders of Judah have invaded Israel and stolen land from her. So I will pour out punishment on them like a flood. 11 Israel is suffering oppression; she has lost land that was rightfully hers, because she insisted on going for help to those who had none to give.[b] 12 I will bring destruction on Israel and ruin on the people of Judah.
13 “When Israel saw how sick she was and when Judah saw her own wounds, then Israel went to Assyria to ask the great emperor for help, but he could not cure them or heal their wounds. 14 I will attack the people of Israel and Judah like a lion. I myself will tear them to pieces and then leave them. When I drag them off, no one will be able to save them.
15 “I will abandon my people until they have suffered enough for their sins and come looking for me. Perhaps in their suffering they will try to find me.”
The People's Insincere Repentance
6 The people say, “Let's return to the Lord! He has hurt us, but he will be sure to heal us; he has wounded us, but he will bandage our wounds, won't he? 2 In two or three days he will revive us, and we will live in his presence. 3 Let us try to know the Lord. He will come to us as surely as the day dawns, as surely as the spring rains fall upon the earth.”
4 But the Lord says, “Israel and Judah, what am I going to do with you? Your love for me disappears as quickly as morning mist; it is like dew, that vanishes early in the day. 5 That is why I have sent my prophets to you with my message of judgment and destruction. What I want from you is plain and clear: 6 (A)I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices. I would rather have my people know me than burn offerings to me.
Footnotes
- Hosea 5:8 This name means “house of evil” or “house of idolatry” and in this passage refers to the city of Bethel, a name which means “house of God.” See also 10.8.
- Hosea 5:11 Probable text those who had none to give; Hebrew command.
Hosea 5:8-6:6
New International Version
Hosea 5:8-6:6
New International Version
8 “Sound the trumpet(A) in Gibeah,(B)
the horn in Ramah.(C)
Raise the battle cry in Beth Aven[a];(D)
lead on, Benjamin.
9 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
6 “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)
2 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.
3 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)”
4 “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)
5 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)
6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,(AM)
and acknowledgment(AN) of God rather than burnt offerings.(AO)
Footnotes
- Hosea 5:8 Beth Aven means house of wickedness (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means house of God).
- Hosea 5:11 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
- Hosea 6:5 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
Good News Translation (GNT) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.