Hosea 8:7–14

[7] For they sow the wind,

and they shall reap the whirlwind.

The standing grain has no heads;

it shall yield no flour;

if it were to yield,

strangers would devour it.

[8] Israel is swallowed up;

already they are among the nations

as a useless vessel.

[9] For they have gone up to Assyria,

a wild donkey wandering alone;

Ephraim has hired lovers.

[10] Though they hire allies among the nations,

I will soon gather them up.

And the king and princes shall soon writhe

because of the tribute.

[11] Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning,

they have become to him altars for sinning.

[12] Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands,

they would be regarded as a strange thing.

[13] As for my sacrificial offerings,

they sacrifice meat and eat it,

but the LORD does not accept them.

Now he will remember their iniquity

and punish their sins;

they shall return to Egypt.

[14] For Israel has forgotten his Maker

and built palaces,

and Judah has multiplied fortified cities;

so I will send a fire upon his cities,

and it shall devour her strongholds.