Hosea 10:1-6 ▼

1 |Israel, the overgrown vine, bears fruit like itself; the more fruitful they become, the more altars they build. The better the land, the more ornate the stone idols.

2 Their hearts are divided; from now on they are to be found guilty. God will tear down their altars, he will destroy their stone idols.

3 From now on they will say, 'We have no king, because we did not fear the LORD— and what would a king do for us?'

4 Their word is falsely given as they make their agreements; so judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.

5 |The residents of Samaria will be terrified because of the cows of Beth-aven. Its people will mourn over Beth-aven, along with the priests who will mourn its glory, because that glory has departed.

6 Indeed, that glory will be carried to Assyria— it will become a present for an avenging king. Ephraim will be disgraced, and Israel will become ashamed of its decision.