Hosea 10

1Israel was a spreading vine that yielded fruit for itself. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; the better his land became, the finer the sacred pillars they made. 2Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. He himself will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars. 3Now they will say, “We have no king, because we did not fear the LORD. And a king — what could he do for us?” 4They speak empty words, swearing false oaths and making agreements. So justice springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field. 5The people of Samaria will be afraid for the calf of Beth-aven. Its people will mourn over it, and its idol-priests will wail over it and over its glory, because it has gone from them into exile. 6The idol itself will be carried to Assyria as tribute for the great king. Ephraim will be put to shame, and Israel will be ashamed of its own plans. 7As for Samaria, her king will be cut off like a twig on the surface of the water. 8The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; thorn and thistle will spring up over their altars. Then they will cry to the mountains, “Cover us!” and they will cry to the hills, “Fall on us!”

9Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, Israel; there they have remained. Will not war overtake them in Gibeah, war against the wrongdoers? 10When I please, I will discipline them; nations will be gathered against them when they are harnessed for their double guilt. 11Ephraim was a trained heifer that loved to thresh, but I put a yoke on her fine neck. I will harness Ephraim; Judah must plow; Jacob must break up the ground for himself. 12Sow righteousness for yourselves; reap a harvest of loyal love; plow up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and rains righteousness on you. 13You have plowed wickedness and harvested injustice; you have eaten the fruit of deceit, because you trusted in your own way and in your many warriors. 14The roar of war will rise among your people, and every one of your fortresses will be laid waste, just as Shalman laid waste Beth-arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed in pieces together with their children. 15This is what Bethel will bring on you, because your wickedness is so great. At dawn the king of Israel will be completely cut off.