Hosea 13 - Easy To Read Version Easy To Read Version
Hosea 13

¹ “Ephraim {\cf2\super [141]} made himself very important in Israel. Ephraim spoke and people shook with fear. But Ephraim sinned—he began worshiping Baal. {\cf2\super [142]}

² Now the Israelites sin more and more. They make idols {\cf2\super [143]} for themselves. Workers make those fancy statues from silver. And then those people talk to their statues! They offer sacrifices to those statues. They kiss those \{golden\} calves.

³ That is why those people will soon disappear. They will be like the fog that comes early in the morning—that fog comes and then soon disappears. The Israelites will be like chaff {\cf2\super [144]} that is blown from the threshing floor. {\cf2\super [145]} The Israelites will be like smoke that rises from a chimney and disappears.

⁴ “I have been the Lord your God since the time you were in the land of Egypt. You did not know any other god except me. I am the One who saved you.

⁵ I knew you in the desert—I knew you in that dry land.

⁶ \{I gave food to the Israelites.\} They ate that food. They became full and satisfied. They became proud. And they forgot me!

⁷ “That is why I will be like a lion to them. I will be like a leopard waiting by the road.

⁸ I will attack them like a bear whose cubs were robbed from her. I will attack them. I will rip open their chests. I will be like a lion or other wild animal tearing and eating its prey.”

⁹ “Israel, I helped you. But you turned against me. So now I will destroy you!

¹⁰ Where is your king? He can’t save you in all your cities! Where are your judges? You asked for them, saying, ‘Give me a king and leaders.’ {\cf2\super [146]}

¹¹ I was angry, and I gave you a king. And when I became very angry, I took him away.

¹² “Ephraim tried to hide his guilt.\par He thought his sins were a secret.\par \{But he will be punished.\}\par

¹³ \{His punishment\} will be like the pain a woman feels giving birth.\par He will not be a wise son.\par The time will come for his birth,\par and he will not survive.\par

¹⁴ “I will save them from the grave!\par I will rescue them from death!\par Death, where are your diseases?\par Grave, where is your power?\par I am not looking for revenge!\par

¹⁵ \{Israel\} grows among his brothers.\par But a powerful east wind will come—\par the Lord’s wind will blow from the desert.\par Then \{Israel’s\} well will become dry.\par His spring of water will become dry.\par The wind will take every valuable thing\par from \{Israel’s\} treasure.\par

¹⁶ Samaria must be punished.\par Why? Because she turned against her God.\par The Israelites will be killed with swords.\par Their children will be torn to pieces.\par Their pregnant women will be ripped open.”\par