Hosea 10

1Israel 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.footnote afootnote b

2Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.footnote cfootnote dfootnote e

3For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

4They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

5The 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.footnote f

6It 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.

7As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.footnote g

8The 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.

9O 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.

10It 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.footnote h

11And Ephraim is as an 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.footnote i

12Sow 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.

13Ye 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.

14Therefore 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.

15So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.footnote j

Retribution for Israel’s Sin

1Israel was a luxuriant vine,yielding fruit for himself.The more his fruit increased,the more he increased the altars.The better his land produced,the better he made the sacred pillars. 2Their hearts are devious;now they must bear their guilt.The LORD will break down their altarsand demolish their sacred pillars.

3Surely now they will say,“We have no king,for we do not revere the LORD.What can a king do for us?” 4They speak mere words;with false oaths they make covenants.So judgment springs uplike poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.

5The people of Samaria will fearfor the calf of Beth-aven.footnote aIndeed, its people will mourn over itwith its idolatrous priests—those who rejoiced in its glory—for it has been taken from them into exile. 6Yes, it will be carried to Assyriaas tribute to the great king.footnote bEphraimfootnote cwill be seized with shame;Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols.footnote d 7Samaria will be carried off with her kinglike a twig on the surface of the water. 8The high places of Avenfootnote ewill be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel;thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars.Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!”and to the hills, “Fall on us!”footnote f

9Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel,and there you have remained.Did not the battle in Gibeahovertake the sons of iniquity?footnote g 10I will chasten them when I please;nations will be gathered against themto put them in bondagefor their double transgression.

11Ephraim is a well-trained heifer that loves to thresh;but I will place a yoke on her fair neck.I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow,and Jacob will break the hard ground. 12Sow for yourselves righteousnessand reap the fruit of loving devotion;break up your unplowed ground.For it is time to seek the LORDuntil He comes and sends righteousnessupon you like rain.

13You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice;you have eaten the fruit of lies.Because you have trusted in your own wayand in the multitude of your mighty men, 14the roar of battle will rise against your people,so that all your fortresses will be demolishedas Shalman devastated Beth-arbelin the day of battle,when mothers were dashed to piecesalong with their children. 15Thus it will be done to you, O Bethel,because of your great wickedness.When the day dawns,the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.