Hosea 10

1Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he multiplied altars; the better his land became, the better they made the sacred pillars.

2Their heart is divided; now they will bear guilt. He himself will tear down their altars; he will devastate their sacred pillars.

3For now they will say, “We have no king, because we did not fear Yahweh; and the king—what can he do for us?”

4They speak mere words, swearing false oaths, making covenants; so judgment springs up like poison weed on the furrows of the field.

5The inhabitants of Samaria tremble for the calves of Beth-aven, because its people mourn over it, and its idolatrous priests wail over it, over its glory, because it has departed from it.

6Even it will be carried to Assyria as tribute for King Yareb; Ephraim will receive shame, and Israel will be ashamed of its counsel.

7Samaria is cut off, her king like foam on the surface of the waters.

8The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. Thorn and thistle will grow up on their altars, and they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”

9From the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel; there they have remained. Will not war against the children of iniquity overtake them in Gibeah?

10When I desire, I will discipline them, and peoples will be gathered against them when they are bound for their two transgressions.

11Ephraim was a trained heifer that loved to thresh, but I spared her fair neck. I will put Ephraim to the yoke; Judah will plow; Jacob will harrow for him.

12Sow for yourselves for righteousness; reap according to steadfast love. Break up for yourselves unplowed ground, for it is time to seek Yahweh, until he comes and rains righteousness on you.

13You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of deceit, because you trusted in your way, in the multitude of your warriors.

14The tumult will arise among your people, and all your fortresses will be devastated, as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel on the day of battle; mothers were dashed to pieces with their children.

15Thus Bethel has done to you because of your great evil. At dawn the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.