10
1 Israel
is a luxuriant
vine that produces
his fruit.
According to the
abundance of his
fruit he has
multiplied his
altars.
As their land has
prospered, they
have adorned
their sacred stones.
2 Their
heart is divided.
Now they will
be found guilty.
He will demolish
their altars.
He will destroy
their sacred stones.
3 Surely
now they will say,
“We have no
king; for we don’t
fear the LORD;
and the king,
what can he
do for us?”
4 They
make promises, swearing
falsely in making
covenants.
Therefore judgment springs
up like poisonous
weeds in the
furrows of the
field.
5 The
inhabitants of
Samaria will be
in terror for the
calves of Beth Aven,
for its people
will mourn over
it,
along with its
priests who
rejoiced over it,
for its glory,
because it has
departed from it.
6 It
also will be
carried to Assyria
for a present
to a great king.
Ephraim will receive
shame,
and Israel will
be ashamed of
his own counsel.
7 Samaria
and her king float
away
like a twig on
the water.
8 The
high places also
of Aven, the sin
of Israel, will
be destroyed.
The thorn and
the thistle will
come up on
their altars.
They will tell
the mountains, “Cover
us!” and the
hills, “Fall on
us!”
9 “Israel,
you have sinned
from the days
of Gibeah.
There they
remained.
The battle
against the
children of
iniquity doesn’t overtake
them in Gibeah.
10 When
it is my desire,
I will chastise
them;
and the nations
will be gathered
against them
when they are
bound to their
two transgressions.
11 Ephraim is
a trained heifer
that loves to
thresh,
so I will
put a yoke on
her beautiful neck.
I will set
a rider on Ephraim.
Judah will plow.
Jacob will break
his clods.
12 Sow
to yourselves in
righteousness,
reap according to
kindness.
Break up your
fallow ground,
for it is
time to seek
the LORD,
until he comes
and rains righteousness
on you.
13 You
have plowed
wickedness.
You have reaped
iniquity.
You have eaten
the fruit of
lies,
for you trusted
in your way,
in the multitude
of your mighty
men.
14 Therefore
a battle roar will
arise among your
people,
and all your
fortresses will be
destroyed,
as Shalman
destroyed Beth Arbel in
the day of
battle.
The mother was
dashed in pieces
with her children.
15 So
Bethel will do
to you because
of your great
wickedness.
At daybreak the
king of Israel
will be destroyed.