21 Daniel said to the king, "Your Majesty, may you live forever! 22 My Elah sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths so that they couldn't hurt me. He did this because he considered me innocent. Your Majesty, I haven't committed any crime."

23 The king was overjoyed and had Daniel taken out of the den. When Daniel was taken out of the den, people saw that he was completely unharmed because he trusted his Elah.

24 The king ordered those men who had brought charges against Daniel to be brought to him. They, their wives, and their children were thrown into the lions' den. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions attacked them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then King Darius wrote to the people of every province, nation, and language all over the world: I wish you peace and prosperity.

26 I decree that in every part of my kingdom people should tremble with terror in front of Daniel's Elah , the living Elah who continues forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed. His power lasts to the end of time. 27 He saves, rescues, and does miraculous signs and amazing things in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the lions.

28 This man, Daniel, prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel's Vision about Four Animals 7 1 In Belshazzar's first year as king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream. He saw a vision while he was asleep. He wrote down the main parts of the dream. 2 In my visions at night I, Daniel, saw the four winds of heaven stirring up the Mediterranean Sea. 3 Four large animals, each one different from the others, came out of the sea.

4 The first animal was like a lion, but it had wings like an eagle. I watched until its wings were plucked off and it was lifted off the ground. It was made to stand on two feet like a human and was given a human mind.

5 I saw a second animal. It looked like a bear. It was raised on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, "Get up, and eat as much meat as you want."

6 After this, I saw another animal. It looked like a leopard. On its back it had four wings, like the wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads. It was given power to rule.

7 After this, I saw a fourth animal in my vision during the night. It was terrifying, dreadful, extraordinarily strong, and had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed its victims and trampled whatever was left. It acted differently from all the other animals that I had seen before. It had ten horns. 8 While I was thinking about the horns, another horn, a little horn, came up among them. It uprooted three of the other horns. This horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that spoke impressive things.

9 I watched until thrones were set up and the Ancient One, who has lived for endless years, sat down.

His clothes were as white as snow and the hair on his head was like pure wool.

His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire.

10 A river of fire flowed.

It came from him.

Thousands and thousands served him.

Ten thousand times ten thousand were stationed in front of him.

The court convened, and the books were opened.

11 I continued to watch because of the impressive words that the horn was speaking. I watched until the animal was killed. Its body was destroyed and put into a raging fire. 12 The power of the rest of the animals was taken away, but they were allowed to live for a period of time.

13 In my visions during the night, I saw among the clouds in heaven someone like the Bar-Enash.a He came to the Ancient One, who has lived for endless years, and was presented to him. 14 He was given power, honor, and a kingdom. People from every province, nation, and language were to serve him. His power is an eternal power that will not be taken away. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

15 I, Daniel, was deeply troubled, and my visions frightened me. 16 I went to someone who was standing there and asked him to tell me the truth about all this. So he told me what all this meant. 17 He said, "These four large animals are four kingdoms that will rise to power on the earth. 18 But the holy people of the Elyonin will take possession of the kingdom and keep it forever and ever." 19 Then I wanted to know the truth about the fourth animal, which was so different from all the others. It was very terrifying and had iron teeth and bronze claws. It devoured and crushed its victims, and trampled whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that had come up and made three of the horns fall out. That horn had eyes and a mouth that spoke impressive things. It appeared to be bigger than the others. 21 I saw that horn making war against the holy people and defeating them. 22 It did this until the Ancient One, who has lived for endless years, came and judged in favor of the holy people of the Elyonin . The time came when the holy people took possession of the kingdom.

23 He said, "The fourth animal will be the fourth of these kingdoms on earth. It will be different from all other kingdoms. It will devour, trample, and crush the whole world. 24 The ten horns are ten kings that will rise to power from that kingdom. Another king will rise to power after them. He will be different from the kings who came before him, and he will humble three kings. 25 He will speak against the Elyonin , oppress the holy people of the Illah-ah, and plan to change the appointed times and laws. The holy people will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half of a time. 26 But judgment will be handed down, his power will be taken away, and he will be completely and permanently destroyed. 27 The kingdom, along with the power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven, will be given to the holy people of the Elyonin. Their kingdom is eternal. All other powers will serve and obey them."

28 Here is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was terrified by my thoughts, and I turned pale. I kept this to myself.

Daniel's Vision about the Ram and the Goat 8 1 In Belshazzar's third year as king, I, Daniel, saw a vision. This vision came after the one I saw earlier. 2 In my vision I saw myself in the fortress of Susa in the province of Elam. In my vision I saw myself at Ulai Gate. 3 I looked up and saw a single ram standing beside the gate. The ram had two long horns, one longer than the other, though the longer one had grown up later. 4 I saw the ram charging west, north, and south. No other animal could stand in front of it, and no one could escape from its power. It did anything it pleased and continued to grow.

5 As I was watching closely, I saw a male goat coming from the west. It crossed the whole earth without touching it. This goat had a prominent horn between its eyes. 6 The goat was coming toward the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the gate. It furiously ran at the ram. 7 I saw it come closer to the ram. The goat was extremely angry with the ram, so it attacked the ram. It broke both of the ram's horns. The ram didn't have the strength to stand up against the goat. So the ram was thrown down on the ground and trampled. No one could rescue the ram from the goat's power.

8 The male goat became very important. But when the goat became powerful, his large horn broke off. In its place grew four horns. They corresponded to the four winds of heaven. 9 Out of one of the horns came a small horn. It gained power over the south, the east, and the beautiful land. 10 It continued to gain power until it reached the army of heaven. It threw some of the army of heaven, the stars, down on the ground and trampled them. 11 Then it attacked the commander of the army so that it took the daily burnt offering from him and wrecked his holy place. 12 In its rebelliousness it was given an army to put a stop to the daily burnt offering. It threw truth on the ground. The horn was successful in everything it did.a 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking. Another holy one said to the one who was speaking, "How long will the things in this vision-the daily burnt offering, the destructive rebellion, the surrender of the holy place, and the trampling of the army-take place?"

14 He told me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the holy place will be made acceptable to God."

15 Now as I, Daniel, watched the vision and tried to understand it, I saw someone who looked like a man standing in front of me. 16 I heard a man in Ulai Gate call loudly, "Gabriel, explain the vision to this man."

17 Gabriel came up beside me, and when he came, I was terrified and immediately knelt down.

He said to me, "Son of man, understand that the vision is about the end times." 18 As he spoke to me, I fainted facedown on the ground, but he touched me and made me stand up. 19 He said, "I will tell you what will happen in the last days, the time of God's anger, because the end time has been determined.

20 "The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia. 21 The hairy male goat is the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is its first king. 22 The horn broke off, and four horns replaced it. Four kingdoms will come out of that nation, but they won't be as strong as the first king was.

23 "In the last days of those kingdoms, when rebellions are finished, a sternlooking king who understands mysterious things will rise to power. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own strength. He will cause astounding destruction and will be successful in everything he does. He will destroy those who are powerful along with some holy people. 25 He will cleverly use his power to deceive others successfully. He will consider himself to be great and destroy many people when they don't expect it. He will oppose the Commander of Commanders, but he will be defeated, though not by any human power. 26 The vision about the 2,300 evenings and mornings that was explained to you is true. Seal the vision, because it is about things that will happen in the distant future."

27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up and worked for the king. The vision horrified me because I couldn't understand it.

Daniel's Prayer about Jerusalem Is Answered 9 1 Xerxes' son Darius, who was a Mede by birth, was made ruler of the kingdom of Babylon. 2 In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from the Scriptures the number of years that Jerusalem would remain in ruins. Yahweh had told the prophet Jeremiah that Jerusalem would remain in ruins for 70 years. 3 So I turned to Adonay Elohim and looked to him for help. I prayed, pleaded, and fasted in sackcloth and ashes.

4 I prayed to Yahweh my Elohim. I confessed and said, "Adonay , you are great and deserve respect as the only God. You keep your promisea and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments. 5 We have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from your commandments and laws. 6 We haven't listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, leaders, ancestors, and all the common people. 7 You, Adonay , are righteous. But we-the men of Judah, the citizens of Jerusalem, and all the Israelites whom you scattered in countries near and far-are still ashamed because we have been unfaithful to you. 8 We, our kings, leaders, and ancestors are ashamed because we have sinned against you, Yahweh.

9 "But you, Adonay our Elohim, are compassionate and forgiving, although we have rebelled against you. 10 We never listened to Yahweh our Elohim or lived by the teachings you gave us through your servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has ignored your teachings and refused to listen to you. So you brought on us the curses you swore in an oath, the curses written in the Teachings of Elohim's servant Moses. We sinned against you. 12 So you did what you said you would do to us and our rulers by bringing a great disaster on us. Nowhere in the world has anything ever happened like what has happened to Jerusalem. 13 This entire disaster happened to us, exactly as it was written in Moses' Teachings. Yahweh our Elohim, we never tried to gain your favor by turning from our wrongs and dedicating ourselves to your truth. 14 So Yahweh was prepared to bring this disaster on us. Yahweh our Elohim, you are righteous in everything you do. But we never listened to you.

15 "Adonay our Elohim, you brought your people out of Egypt with your strong hand and made yourself famous even today. We have sinned and done evil things. 16 Adonay , since you are very righteous, turn your anger and fury away from your city, Jerusalem, your holy mountain. Jerusalem and your people are insulted by everyone around us because of our sins and the wicked things our ancestors did.

17 "Our Elohim, listen to my prayer and request. For your own sake, Adonay , look favorably on your holy place, which is lying in ruins. 18 Open your ears and listen, my Elohim. Open your eyes and look at our ruins and at the city called by your name. We are not requesting this from you because we are righteous, but because you are very compassionate. 19 Listen to us, Adonay . Forgive us, Adonay. Pay attention, and act. Don't delay! Do this for your sake, my Elohim, because your city and your people are called by your name."

20 I continued to pray, confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel. I humbly placed my request about my Elohim's holy mountain in front of Yahweh my Elohim . 21 While I was praying, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the first vision, came to me about the time of the evening sacrifice. He was exhausted. 22 He informed me, "Daniel, this time I have come to give you insight. 23 As soon as you began to make your request, a reply was sent. I have come to give you the reply because you are highly respected. So study the message, and understand the vision.

24 "Seventy sets of seven time periods have been assigned for your people and your holy city. These time periods will serve to bring an end to rebellion, to stop sin, to forgive wrongs, to usher in everlasting righteousness, to put a seal on a prophet's vision, and to anoint the Most Holy One. 25 Learn, then, and understand that from the time the command is given to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the anointed prince comes, seven sets of seven time periods and sixty-two sets of seven time periods will pass. Jerusalem will be restored and rebuilt with a city square and a moat during the troubles of those times. 26 But after the sixty-two sets of seven time periods, the Mashiacha will be cut off and have nothing. The city and the holy place will be destroyed with the prince who is to come.b His end will come with a flood until the end of the destructive war that has been determined. 27 He will confirm his promise with many for one set of seven time periods. In the middle of the seven time periods, he will stop the sacrifices and food offerings. This will happen along with disgusting things that cause destruction until those time periods come to an end. It has been determined that this will happen to those who destroy the city."

An Angel Comes to Daniel with a Message 10 1 In Cyrus' third year as king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel (who had been renamed Belteshazzar). The message was true. It was about a great war. Daniel understood the message because he was given insight during the vision.

2 During those days I, Daniel, mourned for three whole weeks. 3 I didn't eat any good-tasting food. No meat or wine entered my mouth. I didn't wash myself until the entire three weeks were over.4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was by the great Tigris River. 5 When I looked up, I saw a man dressed in linen, and he had a belt made of gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl. His face looked like lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and legs looked like polished bronze. When he spoke, his voice sounded like the roar of a crowd. 7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision. The men with me didn't see the vision. Yet, they started to tremble violently, and they quickly hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone to see this grand vision. I had no strength left in me. My face turned deathly pale, and I was helpless. 9 I heard the man speak, and as I listened to his words, I fainted facedown on the ground.

10 Then a hand touched me and made my hands and knees shake. 11 The man said to me, "Daniel, you are highly respected. Pay attention to my words. Stand up, because I've been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up, trembling. 12 He told me, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Elohim has heard everything that you said ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in front of your Elohim so that you could learn to understand things. I have come in response to your prayer. 13 The commander of the Persian kingdom opposed me for 21 days. But then Michael, one of the chief commanders, came to help me because I was left alone with the kings of Persia. 14 I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the last days, because the vision is about times still to come."

15 When he said this to me, I bowed down with my face touching the ground and was silent. 16 Then someone who looked like a human touched my lips. I opened my mouth and began to talk. I said to the person standing in front of me, "Sir, because of this vision, pain has overwhelmed me, and I'm helpless. 17 How can I talk to you, sir? I have no strength left, and the wind has been knocked out of me."

18 Again, the person who looked like a human touched me, and I became stronger. 19 He said, "Don't be afraid. You are highly respected. Everything is alright! Be strong! Be strong!"

As he talked to me, I became stronger. I said, "Sir, tell me what you came to say. You have strengthened me."

20 He asked, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight the commander of Persia. When I go, the commander of Greece will come. 21 However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the true writings. No one will support me when I fight these commanders except your commander, Michael.

11 1 During Darius the Mede's first year as king, I strengthened and defended Michael."

Greece Will Conquer Persia 2 The person who looked like a human continued, "What I am about to tell you is the truth. Three more kings will rule Persia. Then there will be a fourth, who will become much richer than all the others. As he becomes strong through his wealth, he will turn everyone against the kingdom of Greece.

3 "Then a warrior-king will come. He will rule a vast empire and do as he pleases. 4 But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken into pieces and divided in the directions of the four winds of heaven. The empire will not be given to his descendants. It will no longer be like his empire, since it will be uprooted and given to others.

The Northern and Southern Kings 5 "The southern king will be strong, but one of his officers will become stronger than he is and rule a vast empire. 6 After a few years the southern and northern kings will make an alliance. The southern king's daughter will go to the northern king to make peace. She won't hold on to her power, and the alliance won't last. She, those who came with her, and the one who fathereda and protected her will be given away.

7 "At that time a shoot will grow from her roots to replace her father. He will attack the northern army, enter the stronghold of the northern king, fight against them, and be victorious. 8 He will take the metal statues of their gods and their precious utensils of silver and gold back to Egypt. He will rule for more years than the northern king. 9 He will invade the southern kingdom and return to his own country.

10 "Then his sons will prepare for war. They will assemble a large number of forces so that they can overwhelm the enemy and pass through its land. They will return and wage war all the way to the stronghold. 11 The southern king will be outraged. He will go to fight the northern king, who will raise a large army that will fall into the southern king's hands. 12 When that army is captured, the southern king will become conceited. Although he will dominate tens of thousands of people, he will not always be strong.

13 "The northern king will return and raise an army larger than the first one. After a few years he will invade with a large army and a lot of equipment. 14 In those times many people will rebel against the southern king, and violent men from your own people will rebel in keeping with this vision, but they will be defeated. 15 Then the northern king will come, build dirt attack ramps, and capture a fortified city. The southern forces will not be able to withstand him. Even their best troops will not be strong enough. 16 The invader will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to withstand his attack. He will rise to power in the beautiful land and it will be completely under his control.

17 "Then the northern king will decide to invade with the power of his entire kingdom, and some decent men will invade with him. He will give the southern king his daughter as a wife in order to destroy the southern kingdom. But this will not succeed or help him. 18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and capture many of them. But a commander will silence the insults that the northern king makes and even insult him.b 19 He will turn back toward the fortresses in his own country, but he will stumble, fall, and disappear.

20 "Another king will take his place. He will have a cruel official go out in royal splendor. But in a few days the king will be destroyed, although not in anger or war.

21 "A contemptible person will take his place. He will not be given royal splendor. He will invade when people are feeling secure, and he will seize the kingdom using false promises. 22 He will overwhelm large forces and defeat them, including the prince of the promise.c 23 After an alliance has been made with him, he will act deceitfully and rise to power with only a few people. 24 When people feel secure, he will invade the richest parts of the provinces and do something that none of his predecessors ever did. He will distribute loot and wealth to his followers. He will invent new ways of attacking fortifications. But this will last only for a little while.

25 "With a large army he will summon his power and courage against the southern king, who will prepare for war with a large, strong army. But the southern king won't be able to withstand him because of the schemes devised against him. 26 People who eat the king's rich food will ruin him. His army will be overwhelmed, and many will die in battle. 27 The two kings will both plan to do evil. They will sit at the same table and tell lies. But they will not succeed, because the end must wait until the appointed time. 28 The northern king will return to his country with a lot of wealth. He will be determined to fight against the holy promise. He will take action and return to his own country.

29 "At the appointed time he will again invade the south, but this time will be different from the first. 30 Ships will come from the west to attack him, and he will be discouraged and turn back. Angry at the holy promise, he will return, take action, and favor those who abandon the holy promise. 31 His forces will dishonor the holy place (the fortress), take away the daily burnt offering, and set up the disgusting thing that causes destruction. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who abandon the promise. But the people who know their Elohim will be strong and take action.

33 "People who are wise will help many to understand. But for some time they will be defeated by swords and flames. They will be captured and looted. 34 As they are being defeated, they will get a little help, but many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise people will be defeated in order to refine, purify, and make them white until the end times. But the appointed time is still to come.

36 "The king will do as he pleases. He will highly honor himself above every god. He will say amazing things against the God of gods. He will succeed until Elohim's anger is over, because what has been decided must be done. 37 He will have no interest in the gods of his ancestors or desire for women. He will have no interest in any god, because he will make himself greater than anyone else. 38 Instead, he will honor the god of fortresses. With gold, silver, precious stones, and other expensive things he will honor a god his ancestors never heard of. 39 With the help of a foreign god, he will deal with strong fortresses. He will give high honors to those who acknowledge him, make them rulers over many people, and distribute land for a price.

40 "In the end times the southern king will attack him. The northern king will rush at him like a storm with chariots, horses, and many ships. He will invade countries, overwhelm them, and pass through their land. 41 He will invade the beautiful land, and tens of thousands will be defeated. But Edom, Moab, and the leaders of the Ammonites will escape from his power. 42 He will use his power against many countries. Even Egypt will not escape. 43 He will control gold and silver treasures and all Egypt's treasuries. Libya and Sudan will surrender to him. 44 But news from the east and the north will frighten him. He will leave very angry to destroy and exterminate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at a beautiful holy mountain. When he comes to his end, there will be no one to help him."

12 1 The person who looked like a human continued, "At that time Michael, the great commander, will stand up on behalf of the descendants of your people. It will be a time of trouble unlike any that has existed from the time there have been nations until that time. But at that time your people, everyone written in the book, will be rescued. 2 Many sleeping in the ground will wake up. Some will wake up to live forever, but others will wake up to be ashamed and disgraced forever. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness on the horizon. Those who lead many people to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.

4 "But you, Daniel, keep these words secret, and seal the book until the end times. Many will travel everywhere, and knowledge will grow."

The Words Are Sealed Up 5 When I, Daniel, looked up, I saw two men standing there. One man stood on one side of the river, and the other one stood on the other side. 6 One of them asked the man dressed in linen clothes who was above the river, "How long will it be until these miracles are over?" 7 I heard the man dressed in linen clothes who was above the river. He raised his right hand and left hand to heaven and swore an oath by the one who lives forever. He said, "It will be for a time, times, and half of a time. When the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, then all these things will be finished."

8 I heard him, but I did not understand. So I asked him, "Sir, how will these things end?"

9 He replied, "Go, Daniel. These words are to be kept secret and sealed until the end times. 10 Many will be purified, made white, and refined. But wicked people will do wicked things, and none of them will understand. Only wise people will understand. 11 From the time the daily burnt offering is taken away and the disgusting thing that causes destruction is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed are those who wait until they reach 1,335 days. 13 But go on until the end. You will rest, and you will rise for your inheritance at the end of time."

a 2:35 A threshing floor is an outdoor area where grain is separated from its husks.

a 3:1 Or "in the plain of Dura."

a 4:1 Daniel 4:1-37 in English Bibles is Daniel 3:31-4:34 in the Hebrew Bible.

a 5:2 A concubine is considered a wife except she has fewer rights under the law.

a 5:28 There is a play on words here between Aramaic peres (divided) and paras (Persians).

b 5:30 Daniel 5:31 in English Bibles is Daniel 6:1 in the Hebrew Bible.

c 6:1 Daniel 6:1-28 in English Bibles is Daniel 6:2-29 in the Hebrew Bible.

a 7:13 Or "like a human."

a 8:12 Hebrew meaning of this verse uncertain.

a 9:4 Or "covenant."

a 9:26 Or "Messiah."

b 9:26 Or "The people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the holy place."

a 11:6 Most Hebrew manuscripts; one Hebrew manuscript, some Greek manuscripts "her son."

b 11:18 Hebrew meaning of this sentence uncertain.

c 11:22 Or "covenant."

Introduction to HOSEA.

Hosea is the first of the twelve minor prophets-called minor, not because they are unimportant, but because their books are short compared to those of the major prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. By the time of the prophets, Israel had long been divided into two kingdoms, Israel (sometimes called Samaria or Ephraim) to the north and Judah to the south. Only two of the prophets, Hosea and Amos, prophesied in the northern kingdom, and only Hosea and Jonah were born there.

Hosea lived and worked during the second half of the eighth century BC, a time of great chaos. Jeroboam II, king when Hosea began to prophesy, died in 746 BC. He was followed by a succession of weak kings who murdered to gain power and then were murdered themselves. Israel's internal weakness made the small country a sitting duck for Assyria, an immensely powerful and ruthless nation. Eventually, in spite of Israel's attempts to buy Assyria's favor, King Shalmanezer of Assyria blockaded Samaria. By 722 BC, the last king of Israel and all his people had been captured and exiled. Hosea prophesied throughout those turbulent years, which are summarized in 2 Kings 14:23-18:12.

Hosea's career as a prophet has a surprising beginning. At God's command, he marries a prostitute and has children with her. Only then does he begin delivering God's messages-pleas like those of a brokenhearted husband to a wife who no longer loves him. God's beloved people have cursed, lied, murdered, stolen, and committed adultery. They have offered sacrifices-including human sacrifices-to idols. They have cheated, broken oaths, and used dishonest measures. They have looked to Assyria and not to God for help. Yet they are arrogant, and they feel no guilt.

Hosea has every right to divorce his faithless wife and even to have her executed. But he takes a different approach, just as God takes a different approach to Israel-he continues to love her, offering honesty and faithfulness and compassion. But Israel pays no attention, and God will eventually step aside. If Israel wants to make alliances with other nations and other gods, he will no longer stand in the way. Hosea's prophetic ministry ended when Assyria wiped out the northern kingdom, but Hosea's prophecies do not end in gloom. God, the rejected lover, never gives up. If Israel will return, God says, "I will love them freely. I will no longer be angry with them. I will be like dew to the people of Israel. They will blossom like flowers" (14:4-5).

Key Names of God in Hosea Yahweh LORD El, Elohim God Ehyeh I Am El Chay Living God Ish Husband Adonay Lord, Master HOSEA.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10.

11 12 13 14.

The Prophet Hosea 1 1 Yahweh spoke his word to Hosea, son of Beeri, when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah and when Jeroboam, son of Joash, was king of Israel.

Hosea Marries a Prostitute 2 When Yahweh first spoke to Hosea, Yahweh told him, "Marry a prostitute, and have children with that prostitute. The people in this land have acted like prostitutes and abandoned Yahweh." 3 So Hosea married Gomer, daughter of Diblaim. She became pregnant and had a son.

4 Yahweh told Hosea, "Name him Jezreel. In a little while I will punish Jehu's family for the people they slaughtered at Jezreel. Then I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 On that day I will break Israel's bows and arrows in the valley of Jezreel."

6 Gomer became pregnant again and had a daughter. Yahweh told Hosea, "Name her Lo Ruhamah [Unloved]. I will no longer love the nation of Israel. I will no longer forgive them. 7 Yet, I will love the descendants of Judah. I will rescue them because I am Yahweh their Elohim . I won't use bows, swords, wars, horses, or horsemen to rescue them."