Hosea
10:1 Israel 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.
10:2 Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break
down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
10:3 For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD;
what then should a king do to us?
10:4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus
judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
10:5 The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven:
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.
10:6 It 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.
10:7 As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.
10:8 The 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.
10:9 O 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.
10:10 It 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.
10:11 And 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.
10:12 Sow 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.
10:13 Ye 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.
10:14 Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses
shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the
mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
10:15 So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a
morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.
