Hosea 10:1-8 ▼

1 Israel (he wrestles with God) was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars.

2 Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.

3 Surely now they will say, “We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD {YHWH}. What can a king do for us?”

4 They speak mere words; with false oaths they make covenants. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.

5 The people of Samaria (watch mountain) will fear for the calf of (house of wickedness) Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn over it with its idolatrous priests—those who rejoiced in its glory—for it has been taken from them into exile.

6 Yes, it will be carried to Assyria (a step) as tribute to the great (contender) king (to King Jareb). Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel) will be seized with shame; Israel (he wrestles with God) will be ashamed of its wooden idols (of its own counsel).

7 Samaria (watch mountain) will be carried off with her king like a twig on the surface of the water.

8 The high places of Aven (of wickedness) will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel (he wrestles with God); thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us !”