Hosea 10
1
Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: According to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; According to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.
2
Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: He shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
3
For now they shall say, We have no king, Because we feared not the Lord; What then should a king do to us?
4
They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: Thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
5
The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: For the people thereof shall mourn over it, And the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, For the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
6
It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, And Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
7
As for Samaria, her king is cut off As the foam upon the water.
8
The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: The thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; And they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; And to the hills, Fall on us.
9
O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: The battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.
10
It is in my desire that I should chastise them; And the people shall be gathered against them, When they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.
11
And Ephraim is as a heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; But I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, And Jacob shall break his clods.
12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground: For it is time to seek the Lord, Till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
13
Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; Ye have eaten the fruit of lies: Because thou didst trust in thy way, In the multitude of thy mighty men.
14
Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, And all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, As Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: The mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
15
So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness; In a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.