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.
2. Their heart is divided * ; now shall they be found faulty * : he shall break down * their altars, he shall spoil * their images.
3. For now they shall say * , We have no king, because we feared * not the LORD;what then should a king do * to us?
4. They have spoken * words, swearing * falsely in making * a covenant: thus judgment springeth up * as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
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.
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.
7. As for Samaria, her king is cut off * as the 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, 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. 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.
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 * .
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.
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.
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.
15. So shall Bethel do * unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly * be cut off * .
