Hosea 8

2will they cry to Me, O God, we have known Thee?

3Because Israel turned away good things they met with an enemy.

4They made kings for themselves, but not by Me—they set up a government and did not consult Me. Of their silver and gold they made idols for themselves that they might be utterly cut off.

5Away with thy calf, O Samaria! My wrath is kindled against them.

6How long shall things which cannot be made clean be in Israel? A carpenter made it; it is no god. Because thy calf, O Samaria, was an imposture—

7because they sowed blasted seed, therefore the catastrophe was correspondent; there is not a handful capable of yielding meal. And had it succeeded, strangers would have devoured it.

8[As it is,] Israel is swallowed up—he is now among the nations like an useless vessel,

9because he went up to the Assyrians. While Ephraim continued at home, he sprouted again. They loved gifts,

10therefore they shall be delivered up to the nations. I will now take charge of them, and they shall cease a little while from anointing a king and chiefs.

11Because Ephraim multiplied altars, [his] beloved altars have become for him sins

12I will prescribe for him a multitude [of true laws]; but his usages are rejected with his beloved altars.

13For with what purpose soever they offer sacrifices and eat flesh, the Lord will not accept them; He will now remember their iniquities and punish their sins. They turned back to Egypt, therefore among the Assyrians they shall eat unclean things.

14Israel indeed forgot his Maker and built [idolatrous] temples, and Juda multiplied fenced cities; but into these cities of his I will send a fire, and it shall devour those buildings of theirs.