Hosea 9

1 Do not rejoice, Israel, or celebrate like the other nations, because you went whoring away from your God and loved gifts on every threshing floor.

2 The threshing floor and winepress did not recognize them, and the wine disappointed them.

3 They did not live in the Lord’s land. Ephraim lived in Egypt, and they will eat unclean things among the Assyrians.

4 They poured no wine for the Lord, and their sacrifices were not pleasing to him. They became like mourners’ bread; everyone eating it will be defiled. Their bread for their souls will not enter the Lord’s house.

5 What will you do on the day of the festive assembly, on the day of the Lord’s feast?

6 Look, they are leaving Egypt’s trouble. Memphis will receive them, and Machmas will bury them. Destruction will inherit their silver, and thorns will fill their tents.

7 The days of punishment have come; the days of repayment have come. Israel will suffer like a prophet gone mad, a spirit-bearing man, because your wrongdoing is so great and your madness has overflowed.

8 Ephraim’s watchman was with God, but the prophet became a crooked snare on every road. They fixed madness in the house of the Lord.

9 They corrupted themselves as in the days of the hill. He will remember their wrongdoing and punish their sins.

10 “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw their ancestors like an early watcher in a fig tree. But they went in to Baal-peor and estranged themselves in shame, and those who were loved became like detestable things.

11 Ephraim flew away like a bird; their glories vanished from birth, labor, and conception.

12 Even if they raise their children, they will be left childless among humanity. How terrible it is for them, though my flesh comes from them!

13 As I saw it, Ephraim handed over his children as prey; Ephraim was ready to lead his children out to slaughter.”

14 Give them something, Lord— what will you give them? Give them a womb that miscarries and breasts that are dry.

15 “All their evil is in Gilgal, for there I hated them. Because of their evil conduct I will drive them from my house. I will no longer love them; all their rulers refuse to listen.

16 Ephraim is afflicted; his roots have dried up, and he will no longer bear fruit. Even if they have children, I will kill the desired fruit of their womb.”

17 God will reject them because they did not listen to him, and they will wander among the nations.