Hos.11.1

"When Israel was only a child, I loved him. I called out, "My son!'-called him out of Egypt.

Hos.11.1

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Hos.11.1

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.

Hos.11.1

"When Israel was a child, I loved him as a son, and I called my son out of Egypt.

Hos.11.2

But when others called him, he ran off and left me. He worshiped the popular sex gods, he played at religion with toy gods.

Hos.11.2

But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.

Hos.11.2

As they called them, So they went from them; They sacrificed to the Baals, And burned incense to carved images.

Hos.11.2

But the more I called to him, the more he rebelled, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols.

Hos.11.3

Still, I stuck with him. I led Ephraim. I rescued him from human bondage, But he never acknowledged my help,

Hos.11.3

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.

Hos.11.3

"I taught Ephraim to walk, Taking them by their arms; But they did not know that I healed them.

Hos.11.3

It was I who taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn't know or even care that it was I who took care of him.

Hos.11.4

never admitted that I was the one pulling his wagon, That I lifted him, like a baby, to my cheek, that I bent down to feed him.

Hos.11.4

I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.

Hos.11.4

I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.

Hos.11.4

I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him.

Hos.11.5

Now he wants to go back to Egypt or go over to Assyria--anything but return to me!

Hos.11.5

"Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?

Hos.11.5

"He shall not return to the land of Egypt; But the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent.

Hos.11.5

"But since my people refuse to return to me, they will go back to Egypt and will be forced to serve Assyria.

Hos.11.6

That's why his cities are unsafe--the murder rate skyrockets and every plan to improve things falls to pieces.

Hos.11.6

Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans.

Hos.11.6

And the sword shall slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume them, Because of their own counsels.

Hos.11.6

War will swirl through their cities; their enemies will crash through their gates and destroy them, trapping them in their own evil plans.

Hos.11.7

My people are hell-bent on leaving me. They pray to god Baal for help. He doesn't lift a finger to help them.

Hos.11.7

My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them.

Hos.11.7

My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him.

Hos.11.7

For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they don't truly honor me.

Hos.11.8

But how can I give up on you, Ephraim? How can I turn you loose, Israel? How can I leave you to be ruined like Admah, devastated like luckless Zeboim? I can't bear to even think such thoughts. My insides churn in protest.

Hos.11.8

"How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.

Hos.11.8

"How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred.

Hos.11.8

"Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah and Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows.

Hos.11.9

And so I'm not going to act on my anger. I'm not going to destroy Ephraim. And why? Because I am God and not a human. I'm The Holy One and I'm here--in your very midst.

Hos.11.9

I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man- the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.

Hos.11.9

I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror.

Hos.11.9

No, I will not punish you as much as my burning anger tells me to. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy.

Hos.11.10

"The people will end up following GOD. I will roar like a lion--Oh, how I'll roar! My frightened children will come running from the west.

Hos.11.10

They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

Hos.11.10

"They shall walk after the LORD. He will roar like a lion. When He roars, Then His sons shall come trembling from the west;

Hos.11.10

"For someday the people will follow the LORD. I will roar like a lion, and my people will return trembling from the west.

Hos.11.11

Like frightened birds they'll come from Egypt, from Assyria like scared doves. I'll move them back into their homes." GOD's Word!

Hos.11.11

They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes," declares the LORD.

Hos.11.11

They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt, Like a dove from the land of Assyria. And I will let them dwell in their houses," Says the LORD.

Hos.11.11

Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt. Flying like doves, they will return from Assyria. And I will bring them home again," says the LORD.

Hos.11.12

Ephraim tells lies right and left. Not a word of Israel can be trusted. Judah, meanwhile, is no better, addicted to cheap gods. [JC]

Hos.11.12

Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One.

Hos.11.12

"Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, And the house of Israel with deceit; But Judah still walks with God, Even with the Holy One who is faithful.

Hos.11.12

Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit, but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.

Hos.12.1

Ephraim, obsessed with god-fantasies, chases ghosts and phantoms. He tells lies nonstop, soul-destroying lies. Both Ephraim and Judah made deals with Assyria and tried to get an inside track with Egypt.

Hos.12.1

Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.

Hos.12.1

"Ephraim feeds on the wind, And pursues the east wind; He daily increases lies and desolation. Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, And oil is carried to Egypt.

Hos.12.1

The people of Israel feed on the wind; they chase after the east wind all day long. They multiply lies and violence; they make alliances with Assyria and cut deals with the Egyptians.

Hos.12.2

GOD is bringing charges against Israel. Jacob's children are hauled into court to be punished.

Hos.12.2

The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.

Hos.12.2

"The LORD also brings a charge against Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; According to his deeds He will recompense him.

Hos.12.2

Now the LORD is bringing a lawsuit against Judah. He is about to punish Jacob for all his deceitful ways.

Hos.12.3

In the womb, that heel, Jacob, got the best of his brother. When he grew up, he tried to get the best of GOD.

Hos.12.3

In the womb he grasped his brother's heel; as a man he struggled with God.

Hos.12.3

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God.

Hos.12.3

Before Jacob was born, he struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God.

Hos.12.4

But GOD would not be bested. GOD bested him. Brought to his knees, Jacob wept and prayed. GOD found him at Bethel. That's where he spoke with him.

Hos.12.4

He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there-

Hos.12.4

Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, And there He spoke to us--

Hos.12.4

Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him--

Hos.12.5

GOD is God-of-the-Angel-Armies, GOD-Revealed, GOD-Known. [JC]

Hos.12.5

the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name of renown!

Hos.12.5

That is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD is His memorable name.

Hos.12.5

the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name!

Hos.12.6

What are you waiting for? Return to your God! Commit yourself in love, in justice! Wait for your God, and don't give up on him--ever!

Hos.12.6

But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.

Hos.12.6

So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

Hos.12.6

So now, come back to your God! Act on the principles of love and justice, and always live in confident dependence on your God.

Hos.12.7

The businessmen engage in wholesale fraud. They love to rip people off!

Hos.12.7

The merchant uses dishonest scales; he loves to defraud.

Hos.12.7

"A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales are in his hand; He loves to oppress.

Hos.12.7

But no, the people are like crafty merchants selling from dishonest scales--they love to cheat.

Hos.12.8

Ephraim boasted, "Look, I'm rich! I've made it big! And look how well I've covered my tracks: not a hint of fraud, not a sign of sin!"

Hos.12.8

Ephraim boasts, "I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin."

Hos.12.8

And Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors They shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.'

Hos.12.8

Israel boasts, "I am rich, and I've gotten it all by myself! No one can say I got it by cheating! My record is spotless!"

Hos.12.9

"But not so fast! I'm GOD, your God! Your God from the days in Egypt! I'm going to put you back to living in tents, as in the old days when you worshiped in the wilderness.

Hos.12.9

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed feasts.

Hos.12.9

"But I am the LORD your God, Ever since the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, As in the days of the appointed feast.

Hos.12.9

"I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. And I will make you live in tents again, as you do each year when you celebrate the Festival of Shelters.

Hos.12.10

I speak through the prophets to give clear pictures of the way things are. Using prophets, I tell revealing stories.

Hos.12.10

I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them."

Hos.12.10

I have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets."

Hos.12.10

I sent my prophets to warn you with many visions and parables."

Hos.12.11

I show Gilead rampant with religious scandal and Gilgal teeming with empty-headed religion. I expose their worship centers as stinking piles of garbage in their gardens."

Hos.12.11

Is Gilead wicked? Its people are worthless! Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Their altars will be like piles of stones on a plowed field.

Hos.12.11

Though Gilead has idols-- Surely they are vanity-- Though they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal, Indeed their altars shall be heaps in the furrows of the field.

Hos.12.11

But Gilead is filled with sinners who worship idols. And in Gilgal, too, they sacrifice bulls; their altars are lined up like the heaps of stone along the edges of a plowed field.

Hos.12.12

Are you going to repeat the life of your ancestor Jacob? He ran off guilty to Aram, Then sold his soul to get ahead, and made it big through treachery and deceit.

Hos.12.12

Jacob fled to the country of Aram; Israel served to get a wife, and to pay for her he tended sheep.

Hos.12.12

Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended sheep.

Hos.12.12

Jacob fled to the land of Aram and earned a wife by tending sheep.

Hos.12.13

Your real identity is formed through God-sent prophets, who led you out of Egypt and served as faithful pastors.

Hos.12.13

The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet he cared for him.

Hos.12.13

By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, And by a prophet he was preserved.

Hos.12.13

Then the LORD led Jacob's descendants, the Israelites, out of Egypt by a prophet, who guided and protected them.

Hos.12.14

As it is, Ephraim has continually and inexcusably insulted God. Now he has to pay for his life-destroying ways. His Master will do to him what he has done.

Hos.12.14

But Ephraim has bitterly provoked him to anger; his Lord will leave upon him the guilt of his bloodshed and will repay him for his contempt.

Hos.12.14

Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly; Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him, And return his reproach upon him.

Hos.12.14

But the people of Israel have bitterly provoked the LORD, so their Lord will now sentence them to death in payment for their sins.

Hos.13.1

God once let loose against Ephraim a terrifying sentence against Israel: Caught and convicted in the lewd sex-worship of Baal--they died!

Hos.13.1

When Ephraim spoke, men trembled; he was exalted in Israel. But he became guilty of Baal worship and died.

Hos.13.1

When Ephraim spoke, trembling, He exalted himself in Israel; But when he offended through Baal worship, he died.

Hos.13.1

In the past when the tribe of Ephraim spoke, the people shook with fear because the other Israelite tribes looked up to them. But the people of Ephraim sinned by worshiping Baal and thus sealed their destruction.

Hos.13.2

And now they're back in the sin business again, manufacturing god-images they can use, Religion customized to taste. Professionals see to it: Anything you want in a god you can get. Can you believe it? They sacrifice live babies to these dead gods--kill living babies and kiss golden calves!

Hos.13.2

Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of these people, "They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calf-idols."

Hos.13.2

Now they sin more and more, And have made for themselves molded images, Idols of their silver, according to their skill; All of it is the work of craftsmen. They say of them, "Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!"

Hos.13.2

Now they keep on sinning by making silver idols to worship--images shaped skillfully with human hands. "Sacrifice to these," they cry, "and kiss the calf idols!"

Hos.13.3

And now there's nothing left to these people: hollow men, desiccated women, Like scraps of paper blown down the street, like smoke in a gusty wind.

Hos.13.3

Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.

Hos.13.3

Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud And like the early dew that passes away, Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor And like smoke from a chimney.

Hos.13.3

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.

Hos.13.4

"I'm still your GOD, the God who saved you out of Egypt. I'm the only real God you've ever known. I'm the one and only God who delivers.

Hos.13.4

"But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me.

Hos.13.4

"Yet I am the LORD your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me.

Hos.13.4

"I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. You have no God but me, for there is no other savior.

Hos.13.5

I took care of you during the wilderness hard times, those years when you had nothing.

Hos.13.5

I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat.

Hos.13.5

I knew you in the wilderness, In the land of great drought.

Hos.13.5

I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land.

Hos.13.6

I took care of you, took care of all your needs, gave you everything you needed. You were spoiled. You thought you didn't need me. You forgot me.

Hos.13.6

When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.

Hos.13.6

When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me.

Hos.13.6

But when you had eaten and were satisfied, then you became proud and forgot me.

Hos.13.7

"I'll charge them like a lion, like a leopard stalking in the brush.

Hos.13.7

So I will come upon them like a lion, like a leopard I will lurk by the path.

Hos.13.7

"So I will be to them like a lion; Like a leopard by the road I will lurk;

Hos.13.7

So now I will attack you like a lion, or like a leopard that lurks along the road.

Hos.13.8

I'll jump them like a sow grizzly robbed of her cubs. I'll rip out their guts. Coyotes will make a meal of them. Crows will clean their bones.

Hos.13.8

Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open. Like a lion I will devour them; a wild animal will tear them apart.

Hos.13.8

I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs; I will tear open their rib cage, And there I will devour them like a lion. The wild beast shall tear them.

Hos.13.8

I will rip you to pieces like a bear whose cubs have been taken away. I will tear you apart and devour you like a hungry lion.

Hos.13.9

I'm going to destroy you, Israel. Who is going to stop me?

Hos.13.9

"You are destroyed, O Israel, because you are against me, against your helper.

Hos.13.9

"O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help is from Me.

Hos.13.9

"You are about to be destroyed, O Israel, though I am your helper.

Hos.13.10

Where is your trusty king you thought would save you? Where are all the local leaders you wanted so badly? All these rulers you insisted on having, demanding, "Give me a king! Give me leaders!'?

Hos.13.10

Where is your king, that he may save you? Where are your rulers in all your towns, of whom you said, 'Give me a king and princes'?

Hos.13.10

I will be your King; Where is any other, That he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said, "Give me a king and princes'?

Hos.13.10

Where now is your king? Why don't you call on him for help? Where are all the leaders of the land? You asked for them, now let them save you!

Hos.13.11

Well, long ago I gave you a king, but I wasn't happy about it. Now, fed up, I've gotten rid of him.

Hos.13.11

So in my anger I gave you a king, and in my wrath I took him away.

Hos.13.11

I gave you a king in My anger, And took him away in My wrath.

Hos.13.11

In my anger I gave you kings, and in my fury I took them away.

Hos.13.12

I have a detailed record of your infidelities--Ephraim's sin documented and stored in a safe-deposit box.

Hos.13.12

The guilt of Ephraim is stored up, his sins are kept on record.

Hos.13.12

"The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; His sin is stored up.

Hos.13.12

"The sins of Ephraim have been collected and stored away for punishment.

Hos.13.13

"When birth pangs signaled it was time to be born, Ephraim was too stupid to come out of the womb. When the passage into life opened up, he didn't show.

Hos.13.13

Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he does not come to the opening of the womb.

Hos.13.13

The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. He is an unwise son, For he should not stay long where children are born.

Hos.13.13

The people have been offered new birth, but they are like a child who resists being born. How stubborn they are! How foolish!

Hos.13.14

Shall I intervene and pull them into life? Shall I snatch them from a certain death? Who is afraid of you, Death? Who cares about your threats, Tomb? In the end I'm abolishing regret, banishing sorrow,

Hos.13.14

"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? "I will have no compassion,

Hos.13.14

"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes."

Hos.13.14

Should I ransom them from the grave? Should I redeem them from death? O death, bring forth your terrors! O grave, bring forth your plagues! For I will not relent!

Hos.13.15

Even though Ephraim ran wild, the black sheep of the family. "GOD's tornado is on its way, roaring out of the desert. It will devastate the country, leaving a trail of ruin and wreckage. The cities will be gutted, dear possessions gone for good.

Hos.13.15

even though he thrives among his brothers. An east wind from the LORD will come, blowing in from the desert; his spring will fail and his well dry up. His storehouse will be plundered of all its treasures.

Hos.13.15

Though he is fruitful among his brethren, An east wind shall come; The wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness. Then his spring shall become dry, And his fountain shall be dried up. He shall plunder the treasury of every desirable prize.

Hos.13.15

Ephraim was the most fruitful of all his brothers, but the east wind--a blast from the LORD--will arise in the desert. It will blow hard against the people of Ephraim, drying up their land. All their flowing springs and wells will disappear. Every precious thing they have will be plundered and carried away.

Hos.13.16

Now Samaria has to face the charges because she has rebelled against her God: Her people will be killed, babies smashed on the rocks, pregnant women ripped open."

Hos.13.16

The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open."

Hos.13.16

Samaria is held guilty, For she has rebelled against her God. They shall fall by the sword, Their infants shall be dashed in pieces, And their women with child ripped open.

Hos.13.16

The people of Samaria must bear the consequences of their guilt because they rebelled against their God. They will be killed by an invading army, their little ones dashed to death against the ground, their pregnant women ripped open by swords."

Hos.14.1

O Israel, come back! Return to your GOD! You're down but you're not out.

Hos.14.1

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!

Hos.14.1

O Israel, return to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;

Hos.14.1

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for your sins have brought you down.

Hos.14.2

Prepare your confession and come back to GOD. Pray to him, "Take away our sin, accept our confession. Receive as restitution our repentant prayers.

Hos.14.2

Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

Hos.14.2

Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.

Hos.14.2

Bring your petitions, and return to the LORD. Say to him, "Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you the sacrifice of praise.

Hos.14.3

Assyria won't save us; horses won't get us where we want to go. We'll never again say "our god' to something we've made or made up. You're our last hope. Is it not true that in you the orphan finds mercy?" [JC]

Hos.14.3

Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion."

Hos.14.3

Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, "You are our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy."

Hos.14.3

Assyria cannot save us, nor can our strength in battle. Never again will we call the idols we have made `our gods.' No, in you alone do the orphans find mercy."

Hos.14.4

"I will heal their waywardness. I will love them lavishly. My anger is played out.

Hos.14.4

"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.

Hos.14.4

"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.

Hos.14.4

The LORD says, "Then I will heal you of your idolatry and faithlessness, and my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever!

Hos.14.5

I will make a fresh start with Israel. He'll burst into bloom like a crocus in the spring. He'll put down deep oak tree roots,

Hos.14.5

I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;

Hos.14.5

I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.

Hos.14.5

I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. It will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon.

Hos.14.6

he'll become a forest of oaks! He'll become splendid--like a giant sequoia, his fragrance like a grove of cedars!

Hos.14.6

his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

Hos.14.6

His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon.

Hos.14.6

Its branches will spread out like those of beautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedar forests of Lebanon.

Hos.14.7

Those who live near him will be blessed by him, be blessed and prosper like golden grain. Everyone will be talking about them, spreading their fame as the vintage children of God.

Hos.14.7

Men will dwell again in his shade. He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.

Hos.14.7

Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Hos.14.7

My people will return again to the safety of their land. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.

Hos.14.8

Ephraim is finished with gods that are no-gods. From now on I'm the one who answers and satisfies him. I am like a luxuriant fruit tree. Everything you need is to be found in me." [JC]

Hos.14.8

O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me."

Hos.14.8

"Ephraim shall say, "What have I to do anymore with idols?' I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me."

Hos.14.8

"O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who looks after you and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green, giving my fruit to you all through the year."

Hos.14.9

If you want to live well, make sure you understand all of this. If you know what's good for you, you'll learn this inside and out. GOD's paths get you where you want to go. Right-living people walk them easily; wrong-living people are always tripping and stumbling.

Hos.14.9

Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Hos.14.9

Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.

Hos.14.9

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those who are discerning listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But sinners stumble and fall along the way.

Rom.9.1

At the same time, you need to know that I carry with me at all times a huge sorrow.

Rom.9.1

I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--

Rom.9.1

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,

Rom.9.1

In the presence of Christ, I speak with utter truthfulness--I do not lie--and my conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm that what I am saying is true.

Rom.9.2

It's an enormous pain deep within me, and I'm never free of it. I'm not exaggerating--Christ and the Holy Spirit are my witnesses. It's the Israelites...

Rom.9.2

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

Rom.9.2

that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.

Rom.9.2

My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief

Rom.9.3

If there were any way I could be cursed by the Messiah so they could be blessed by him, I'd do it in a minute. They're my family.

Rom.9.3

For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race,

Rom.9.3

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

Rom.9.3

for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed--cut off from Christ!--if that would save them.

Rom.9.4

I grew up with them. They had everything going for them--family, glory, covenants, revelation, worship, promises,

Rom.9.4

the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

Rom.9.4

who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;

Rom.9.4

They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God's special children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave his law to them. They have the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises.

Rom.9.5

to say nothing of being the race that produced the Messiah, the Christ, who is God over everything, always. Oh, yes!

Rom.9.5

Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Rom.9.5

of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Rom.9.5

Their ancestors were great people of God, and Christ himself was a Jew as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Rom.9.6

Don't suppose for a moment, though, that God's Word has malfunctioned in some way or other. The problem goes back a long way. From the outset, not all Israelites of the flesh were Israelites of the spirit.

Rom.9.6

It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

Rom.9.6

But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel,

Rom.9.6

Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to the Jews? No, for not everyone born into a Jewish family is truly a Jew!

Rom.9.7

It wasn't Abraham's sperm that gave identity here, but God's promise. Remember how it was put: "Your family will be defined by Isaac"?

Rom.9.7

Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."

Rom.9.7

nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called."

Rom.9.7

Just the fact that they are descendants of Abraham doesn't make them truly Abraham's children. For the Scriptures say, "Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted," though Abraham had other children, too.

Rom.9.8

That means that Israelite identity was never racially determined by sexual transmission, but it was God-determined by promise.

Rom.9.8

In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.

Rom.9.8

That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.

Rom.9.8

This means that Abraham's physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. It is the children of the promise who are considered to be Abraham's children.

Rom.9.9

Remember that promise, "When I come back next year at this time, Sarah will have a son"?

Rom.9.9

For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."

Rom.9.9

For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son."

Rom.9.9

For God had promised, "Next year I will return, and Sarah will have a son."

Rom.9.10

And that's not the only time. To Rebecca, also, a promise was made that took priority over genetics. When she became pregnant by our one-of-a-kind ancestor, Isaac,

Rom.9.10

Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac.

Rom.9.10

And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac

Rom.9.10

This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he grew up, he married Rebekah, who gave birth to twins.

Rom.9.11

and her babies were still innocent in the womb--incapable of good or bad--she received a special assurance from God. What God did in this case made it perfectly plain that his purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don't do, but a sure thing determined by his decision, flowing steadily from his initiative.

Rom.9.11

Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand:

Rom.9.11

(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),

Rom.9.11

But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message proves that God chooses according to his own plan,

Rom.9.12

God told Rebecca, "The firstborn of your twins will take second place."

Rom.9.12

not by works but by him who calls--she was told, "The older will serve the younger."

Rom.9.12

it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger."

Rom.9.12

not according to our good or bad works.) She was told, "The descendants of your older son will serve the descendants of your younger son."

Rom.9.13

Later that was turned into a stark epigram: "I loved Jacob; I hated Esau."

Rom.9.13

Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

Rom.9.13

As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."

Rom.9.13

In the words of the Scriptures, "I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau."

Rom.9.14

Is that grounds for complaining that God is unfair? Not so fast, please.

Rom.9.14

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!

Rom.9.14

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!

Rom.9.14

What can we say? Was God being unfair? Of course not!

Rom.9.15

God told Moses, "I'm in charge of mercy. I'm in charge of compassion."

Rom.9.15

For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

Rom.9.15

For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."

Rom.9.15

For God said to Moses, "I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose."

Rom.9.16

Compassion doesn't originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God's mercy.

Rom.9.16

It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

Rom.9.16

So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

Rom.9.16

So receiving God's promise is not up to us. We can't get it by choosing it or working hard for it. God will show mercy to anyone he chooses.

Rom.9.17

The same point was made when God said to Pharaoh, "I picked you as a bit player in this drama of my salvation power."

Rom.9.17

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Rom.9.17

For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth."

Rom.9.17

For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, "I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you, and so that my fame might spread throughout the earth."

Rom.9.18

All we're saying is that God has the first word, initiating the action in which we play our part for good or ill.

Rom.9.18

Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

Rom.9.18

Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

Rom.9.18

So you see, God shows mercy to some just because he wants to, and he chooses to make some people refuse to listen.

Rom.9.19

Are you going to object, "So how can God blame us for anything since he's in charge of everything? If the big decisions are already made, what say do we have in it?"

Rom.9.19

One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?"

Rom.9.19

You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?"

Rom.9.19

Well then, you might say, "Why does God blame people for not listening? Haven't they simply done what he made them do?"

Rom.9.20

Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn't talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, "Why did you shape me like this?"

Rom.9.20

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'"

Rom.9.20

But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?"

Rom.9.20

No, don't say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to criticize God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, "Why have you made me like this?"

Rom.9.21

Isn't it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?

Rom.9.21

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

Rom.9.21

Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

Rom.9.21

When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn't he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?

Ps.89.9

You put the arrogant ocean in its place and calm its waves when they turn unruly.

Ps.89.9

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.

Ps.89.9

You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.

Ps.89.9

You are the one who rules the oceans. When their waves rise in fearful storms, you subdue them.

Ps.89.10

You gave that old hag Egypt the back of your hand, you brushed off your enemies with a flick of your wrist.

Ps.89.10

You crushed Rahab like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.

Ps.89.10

You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one who is slain; You have scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.

Ps.89.10

You are the one who crushed the great sea monster. You scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

Ps.89.11

You own the cosmos--you made everything in it, everything from atom to archangel.

Ps.89.11

The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.

Ps.89.11

The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them.

Ps.89.11

The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours--you created it all.

Ps.89.12

You positioned the North and South Poles; the mountains Tabor and Hermon sing duets to you.

Ps.89.12

You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.

Ps.89.12

The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Your name.

Ps.89.12

You created north and south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise your name.

Ps.89.13

With your well-muscled arm and your grip of steel--nobody trifles with you!

Ps.89.13

Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.

Ps.89.13

You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.

Ps.89.13

Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.