Gomer had a second child---this time it was a daughter. The LORD said to Hosea, "Name her 'Unloved,' because I will no longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them.

The branches of the trees are withered and broken, and women gather them for firewood. Because the people have understood nothing, God their Creator will not pity them or show them any mercy.

Then I will smash them like jars against one another, old and young alike. No pity, compassion, or mercy will stop me from killing them."

"You must not enter a house where there is mourning. Do not grieve for anyone. I will no longer bless my people with peace or show them love and mercy.

They will feel all the force of my anger. I will not spare them or show them any mercy. They will shout prayers to me as loud as they can, but I will not listen to them."

But I will not have pity on them; I will do to them what they have done to others."

Then the angel said, "Almighty LORD, you have been angry with Jerusalem and the cities of Judah for seventy years now. How much longer will it be before you show them mercy?"

So then, God has mercy on anyone he wishes, and he makes stubborn anyone he wishes.

Here we see how kind and how severe God is. He is severe toward those who have fallen, but kind to you---if you continue in his kindness. But if you do not, you too will be broken off.

For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.

When the LORD first spoke to Israel through Hosea, he said to Hosea, "Go and get married; your wife will be unfaithful, and your children will be just like her. In the same way my people have left me and become unfaithful."

"Are you coming in peace?" Joram asked him. "How can there be peace," Jehu answered, "when we still have all the witchcraft and idolatry that your mother Jezebel started?"

Come here to be judged, you sinners! You are no better than sorcerers, adulterers, and prostitutes.

You are doing what your father did." "God himself is the only Father we have," they answered, "and we are his true children."