Hosea 10:1-8 ▼

1 Israel was a luxuriant vine; he set forth fruit for himself. With the increase of his fruit, he made an increase of the altars; according to the richness of his land, they made rich the sacred pillars.

2 Their heart has been divided, now they are guilty; He will break down their altars; He will demolish their sacred pillars.

3 For now they say, “There is no king for us, because we did not fear YHWH; and as for the king, what could he do for us?”

4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in cutting a covenant, and judgment sprouts up like a poison in the furrows of the field.

5 For the calf of Beth-aven those dwelling in Samaria fear; indeed its people mourn over it, and its idolatrous priests who rejoiced over it, over its glory that has departed from it.

6 Also it will be carried along to Assyria as tribute to the great king; Ephraim will receive shame, and Israel will be ashamed of his idol.

7 Samaria will be cut off with her king, like a twig on the face of the water.

8 The high places of Aven will be destroyed, and the sin of Israel; the thorn and thistle will come up over their altars, and they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” And to the hills, “Fall on us!”