Hosea 10

1Israel is an empty vine that bears fruit for itself; according to the abundance of his fruit he has multiplied his altars, and according to the goodness of his land they have adorned pillars.

2Their heart is divided; now they will be guilty. He will break down their altars and destroy their pillars.

3Now they will say, “We have no king, for we have not feared Yahweh—what can the king do for us?”

4They spoke words, swearing false oaths as they cut a covenant, and judgment sprang up like hemlock in the furrows of the field.

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

6It too will be brought to Assyria, a gift to King Jareb; Ephraim will take shame, and Israel will be ashamed because of his counsel.

7Samaria's king is cut off like foam upon the waters.

8High places of Aven, Israel's sin, will be destroyed; thorn and thistle will spring up on their altars, and they will say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!"

9Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah; there they stood. No battle against the sons of iniquity will overtake them in Gibeah.

10When I desire, I will chastise them; nations will be gathered against them when they are bound to their two mighty afflictions.

11Ephraim is a trained heifer who loves threshing, but I passed over her fine neck; I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow, and Jacob will break his clods.

12Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap in keeping with mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek Yahweh until he comes and rains righteousness on you.

13You plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you ate the fruit of deception because you trusted in your path, in the abundance of your warriors.

14Tumult will arise among your people, and all your strongholds will be destroyed, like Shalman's destruction of Beth Arbel on the day of battle; the mother was dashed against her children.

15Thus Bethel will do to you because of your utter wickedness; at dawn the king of Israel will be completely cut off.