Hosea 13:1–6

When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling;

he was exalted in Israel,

but he incurred guilt through Baal and died.

And now they sin more and more,

and make for themselves metal images,

idols skillfully made of their silver,

all of them the work of craftsmen.

It is said of them,

“Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!”

Therefore they shall be like the morning mist

or like the dew that goes early away,

like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor

or like smoke from a window.

But I am the Lord your God

from the land of Egypt;

you know no God but me,

and besides me there is no savior.

It was I who knew you in the wilderness,

in the land of drought;

but when they had grazed, they became full,

they were filled, and their heart was lifted up;

therefore they forgot me.

When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling;

he was exalted in Israel.

But he incurred guilt through Baal and died.

Now they continue to sin

and make themselves a cast image,

idols skillfully made from their silver,

all of them the work of craftsmen.

People say about them,

“Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves.”

Therefore, they will be like the morning mist,

like the early dew that vanishes,

like chaff blown from a threshing floor,

or like smoke from a window.

I have been the Lord your God

ever since the land of Egypt;

you know no God but me,

and no Savior exists besides me.

I knew you in the wilderness,

in the land of drought.

When they had pasture,

they became satisfied;

they were satisfied,

and their hearts became proud.

Therefore they forgot me.

When the tribe of Ephraim spoke,

the people shook with fear,

for that tribe was important in Israel.

But the people of Ephraim sinned by worshiping Baal

and thus sealed their destruction.

Now they continue to sin by making silver idols,

images shaped skillfully with human hands.

“Sacrifice to these,” they cry,

“and kiss the calf idols!”

Therefore, they will disappear like the morning mist,

like dew in the morning sun,

like chaff blown by the wind,

like smoke from a chimney.

“I have been the Lord your God

ever since I brought you out of Egypt.

You must acknowledge no God but me,

for there is no other savior.

I took care of you in the wilderness,

in that dry and thirsty land.

But when you had eaten and were satisfied,

you became proud and forgot me.

When Ephraim spoke, there was terror;

he was exalted in Israel,

but he incurred guilt through Baal and died.

And now they sin again,

and they make for themselves a molten idol,

idols from their silver metal according to their understanding,

all of them the work of skilled craftsmen.

To these they say, “Sacrifice!”

People are kissing bull calves.

Therefore, they will be like the morning cloud,

and like the dew of early morning going away,

like chaff swirling from the threshing floor,

or like smoke from a window.

I am Yahweh your God

since the land of Egypt;

you know no god except me,

and no one saves besides me.

I fed you in the desert,

in the land of drought.

When I fed them, they were satisfied;

they were satisfied and their heart was lifted up;

therefore they forgot me.

When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel;

But when he offended in Baal, he died.

And now they sin more and more,

And have made them molten images of their silver,

And idols according to their own understanding,

All of it the work of the craftsmen:

They say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud,

And as the early dew that passeth away,

As the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor,

And as the smoke out of the chimney.

Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt,

And thou shalt know no god but me:

For there is no saviour beside me.

I did know thee in the wilderness,

In the land of great drought.

According to their pasture, so were they filled;

They were filled, and their heart was exalted;

Therefore have they forgotten me.