Add parallel Print Page Options

The Failure of Israel’s Leaders

“Hear this, you priests.
    Pay attention, you leaders of Israel.
Listen, you members of the royal family.
    Judgment has been handed down against you.
For you have led the people into a snare
    by worshiping the idols at Mizpah and Tabor.
You have dug a deep pit to trap them at Acacia Grove.[a]
    But I will settle with you for what you have done.
I know what you are like, O Ephraim.
    You cannot hide yourself from me, O Israel.
You have left me as a prostitute leaves her husband;
    you are utterly defiled.
Your deeds won’t let you return to your God.
    You are a prostitute through and through,
    and you do not know the Lord.

“The arrogance of Israel testifies against her;
    Israel and Ephraim will stumble under their load of guilt.
    Judah, too, will fall with them.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 5:2 Hebrew at Shittim. The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.

Judgment against Israel

“Hear this, priests,
    pay attention, house of Israel,
        listen, royal family!
For judgment is coming your way,[a]
    because you have been a trap to Mizpah,
        a snare spread out on Mount[b] Tabor.
The rebels are deep into their slaughter;
    I am punishing them all.
I know Ephraim,
    and Israel cannot hide from me,
since you, Ephraim, have been acting like a prostitute,
    defiling Israel.

“Their actions hinder them from turning to their God,
    because a spirit of fornication is in their midst,
        and the Lord they do not know.
The arrogance of Israel testifies against him;
    therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity,
        and Judah with them.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 5:1 Lit. is toward you
  2. Hosea 5:1 The Heb. lacks Mount