Hosea 9:14-16

New International Reader's Version

¹⁴ Lord, what should you do to Ephraim’s people?
    Give them women whose babies die before they are born.
    Give them women whose breasts have no milk.

“My people did many evil things in Gilgal.
    That is why I hated them there.
They committed many sins.
    So I will drive them out of my land.
I will not love them anymore.
    All their leaders refuse to obey me.
¹⁶ Ephraim is like a worthless plant.
    Its roots are dried up.
    It does not produce any fruit.
Suppose Ephraim’s people have children.
    Then I will kill the children they love so much.”