Hos 10
1
Israel is a luxuriant vine, that puts forth his fruit: according to the abundance
of his fruit he has multiplied his altars; according to the goodness of their land
they have made goodly pillars.
2
Their heart is divided; now shall they be found guilty: he will smite their altars,
he will destroy their pillars.
3
Surely now shall they say, We have no king; for we fear not YHWH; and the king, what
can he do for us?
4
They speak [vain] words, swearing falsely in making covenants: therefore judgment
springs up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
5
The inhabitants of Samaria shall be in terror for the calves of Beth-aven; for the
people thereof shall mourn over it, and its priests that rejoiced over it,
for its glory, because it is departed from it.
6
It also shall be carried to Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive
shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
7
[As for] Samaria, her king is cut off, as foam upon the water.
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.
9
O Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood; the battle against
the children of iniquity does not overtake them in Gibeah.
10
When it is my desire, I will chastise them; and the peoples shall be gathered against
them, when they are bound to their two transgressions.
11
And Ephraim is a heifer that is taught, that loves to tread out [the grain]; but I
have passed over upon her fair neck: I will set a rider on Ephraim; Judah shall plow,
Jacob shall break his clods.
12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness; break up your fallow
ground; for it is time to seek YHWH, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
13
You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped iniquity; you have eaten the fruit of
lies; for you did trust in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men.
14
Therefore shall a tumult arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be
destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed
in pieces with her children.
15
So shall Beth-el do to you because of your great wickedness: at daybreak shall the
king of Israel be utterly cut off.