Hosea 9:10–17

10 “When I found Israel,

it was like finding grapes in the desert;

when I saw your ancestors,

it was like seeing the early fruitf on the figg tree.

But when they came to Baal Peor,h

they consecrated themselves to that shameful idoli

and became as vile as the thing they loved.

11 Ephraim’s gloryj will fly away like a birdk—

no birth, no pregnancy, no conception.l

12 Even if they rear children,

I will bereavem them of every one.

Woen to them

when I turn away from them!o

13 I have seen Ephraim,p like Tyre,

planted in a pleasant place.q

But Ephraim will bring out

their children to the slayer.”r

14 Give them, Lord—

what will you give them?

Give them wombs that miscarry

and breasts that are dry.s

15 “Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal,t

I hated them there.

Because of their sinful deeds,u

I will drive them out of my house.

I will no longer love them;v

all their leaders are rebellious.w

16 Ephraimx is blighted,

their root is withered,

they yield no fruit.y

Even if they bear children,

I will slayz their cherished offspring.”

17 My God will rejecta them

because they have not obeyedb him;

they will be wanderers among the nations.c