Hosea 8:12-14

Contemporary English Version

¹²My instructions for sacrifices
were written in detail,
    but you ignored them.
¹³You sacrifice your best animals
    and eat the sacrificial meals,^[a]
but I, the Lord,
    refuse your offerings.
I will remember your sins
    and punish you.
Then you will return to Egypt.^[b]

¹⁴Israel, I created you,
    but you forgot me.
You and Judah built palaces
    and many strong cities.^[c]
Now I will send fire to destroy
    your towns and fortresses.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

8.13 sacrifice … sacrificial meals: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. Two kinds of sacrifices are referred to: Those in which the whole animal is burned on the altar (“whole burnt offerings” in traditional translations) and those in which part is eaten by the worshipers (“fellowship offerings” in traditional translations).
8.13 return to Egypt: Either as slaves or to find help against Assyria.
8.14 built palaces … cities: They did this because they no longer trusted the Lord to protect them. “Palaces” may also mean “temples.”