Hosea 10
1Israel is a luxuriant vine that produces his fruit. 1 As his fruit increased, 1 the more altars he built. 1 As his land produced more, 1 he improved his pillars. 1
2Their heart is deceitful; 1 now they must bear their guilt. 1 Yahweh will demolish their altars; 1 he will destroy their pillars. 1
3For then they will say, 1 “We have no king, 1 for we did not fear Yahweh, 1 and a king—what could he do for us?” 1
4They speak empty words 1 and make covenants by swearing falsely. 1 So justice springs up 1 like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field. 1
5The inhabitants of Samaria will be afraid 1 because of the calves of Beth Aven. 1 Its people mourned over them, 1 as did those idolatrous priests who had rejoiced over them 1 and their splendor, 1 but they are no longer there. 1
6They will be carried to Assyria 1 as a present for the great king. 1 Ephraim will be disgraced, 1 and Israel will be ashamed of its idol. 1
7Samaria's king 1 will be destroyed, 1 like a chip of wood on the surface of the water. 1
8The high places of wickedness will be destroyed. 1 This is the sin of Israel! 1 Thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. 1 The people will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” 1 and to the hills, “Fall on us!” 1
9“Israel, 1 you have sinned since the days of Gibeah; 1 there you have remained. 1 Will not war overtake the sons of wrong in Gibeah? 1
10When I desire it, I will discipline them. 1 The nations will gather together against them 1 and put them in bonds for their double iniquity. 1
11Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh the grain, 1 so I will put a yoke on her fair neck. 1 I will put a yoke on Ephraim; 1 Judah will plow; 1 Jacob will pull the harrow by himself. 1
12Sow righteousness for yourselves, 1 and reap the fruit of covenant faithfulness. 1 Break up your unplowed ground, 1 for it is time to seek Yahweh, 1 until he comes and rains righteousness on you. 1
13You have plowed wickedness; 1 you reaped injustice. 1 You have eaten the fruit of deception 1 because you trusted in your plans 1 and in your many soldiers. 1
14So a tumult of war will rise among your people, 1 and all your fortified cities will be destroyed. 1 It will be as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel on a day of battle, 1 when mothers were dashed to pieces with their children. 1
15So it will happen to you, Bethel, 1 because of your great wickedness. 1 At daybreak the king of Israel will be completely cut off.”