Chapter 8

  Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.  

  Israel shall cry to me, My God, we know thee.  

  Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.  

  They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made for themselves idols, that they may be cut off.  

  Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; my anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocence?  

  For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.  

  For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if it shall yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.  

  Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel in which is no pleasure.  

  For they have gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.  

  Yes, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.  

  Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be to him to sin.  

  I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.  

  They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of my offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.  

  For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fortified cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.