Hosea 10
1 Israel is a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more fruit he bore, the more altars he built; the richer his land became, the finer the sacred pillars they made.
2 Their heart is divided; now they will be found guilty. He himself will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars.
3 For now they will say, “We have no king, because we did not fear the LORD; and the king, what could he do for us?”
4 They speak empty words, swear falsely, and make covenants; judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.
5 The people of Samaria tremble for the calves of Beth-aven. Its people mourn for it, and its idolatrous priests rejoice over it, over its glory, because it has been taken away from them.
6 It too will be carried to Assyria as tribute to King Jareb. Ephraim will be put to shame, and Israel will be ashamed of his counsel.
7 Samaria is finished; her king is like a twig floating on the water.
8 The shrines on the hills of wickedness, Israel’s sin, will be destroyed. Thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
9 Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, Israel; there they have stood. Will the war against the children of injustice not overtake them at Gibeah?
10 At my desire I will punish them; peoples will gather against them when they are bound for their two offenses.
11 Ephraim was a trained heifer that loved to thresh, and I passed over her good neck. I will yoke Ephraim; Judah will plow, and Jacob will harrow for himself.
12 Sow for yourselves in righteousness; reap according to loyal love. Break up new ground for yourselves. It is time to seek the LORD until he comes and rains righteousness upon you.
13 You plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you ate the fruit of lies. For you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your warriors.
14 Then tumult will rise among your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle; mother was dashed to pieces with her children.
15 So Bethel has done to you because of your great wickedness. At dawn the king of Israel will be utterly destroyed.
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