Hosea 10

1Israel is a spreading vine. It makes fruit only for itself. The more fruit Israel had, the more altars Israel built. The better the land became, the better the idols Israel made.

2Their hearts are divided. Now they must pay for their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars. The LORD will destroy their idols.

3Soon they will say: We have no king, because we did not fear the LORD. What could a king do for us anyway?

4They speak empty words. They swear false oaths when they make agreements. So punishment springs up like poison weeds in the furrows of a field.

5The people of Samaria will be afraid for the calf idol of Beth Aven. Its people will mourn over it. Its priests were so proud of its glory. They will mourn too, because the glory is gone.

6The idol will be carried to Assyria as a gift for the great king. Ephraim will be put to shame. Israel will be ashamed of its own plans.

7Samaria's king will be cut off like foam on the water.

8The high places of Aven, where Israel sinned, will be destroyed. Thorns and thistles will grow on their altars. Then they will say to the mountains: Cover us. They will say to the hills: Fall on us.

9Israel, you have sinned since the days of Gibeah. The people have stayed in that sin. Did war not catch the evil people at Gibeah?

10The LORD says: I will punish them when I choose. Nations will gather against them. They will be tied up for their 2 sins.

11Ephraim was like a trained young cow that loved to thresh grain. I spared her fair neck from heavy work. But now I will make Ephraim carry a rider. Judah must plow. Jacob must break up the ground.

12Plant what is right for yourselves. Then you will harvest mercy. Break up your hard ground. It is time to seek the LORD. Keep seeking until He comes. He will pour out what is right on you like rain.

13You have plowed evil. You have harvested wrong. You have eaten the fruit of lies. You trusted in your own way and in your many soldiers.

14So a roar of war will rise among your people. All your strong cities will be destroyed. It will be like when Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel on the day of battle. In that battle, mothers were crushed with their children.

15So Bethel will bring this on you because of your great evil. At dawn the king of Israel will be completely cut off.