Hosea 10

1Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; the better his land became, the finer he made the sacred pillars.

2Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. He will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars.

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

4They speak mere words; with empty oaths they make covenants. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.

5The inhabitants of Samaria are afraid for the calf of Beth-aven. Its people mourn over it, and its idol-priests wail over it, over its glory, for it has been taken away from them into exile.

6It too will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be put to shame, and Israel will be ashamed of its own counsel.

7Samaria’s king will vanish like a twig on the surface of the water.

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

9Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, Israel; there they have stayed. Will not war overtake them in Gibeah against the children of wickedness?

10When I please, I will discipline them. Nations will be gathered against them when they are bound for their double iniquity.

11Ephraim was a trained heifer that loved to thresh, but I will put a yoke on her fair neck. I will harness Ephraim; Judah must plow; Jacob must break up the ground for himself.

12Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap according to faithful love. Break up your 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 lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors,

14the roar of battle will rise among your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.

15So Bethel will do to you, because of your great wickedness. At dawn the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.