Hosea 10:1-8 ▼

1 Israel is a luxuriant vine whose fruit matches its growth. The more abundant his fruit, the more altars he built; The more productive his land, the more sacred pillars he set up.

2 Their heart is false! Now they will pay for their guilt: God will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars.

3 For now they will say, “We have no king! Since we do not fear the LORD, the king—what could he do for us?”

4 They make promises, swear false oaths, and make covenants, While lawsuits sprout like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field!

5 The inhabitants of Samaria are afraid for the calf of Beth-aven; Its people mourn for it and its idolatrous priests wail over it, —over its glory which has departed from it.

6 It too will be carried to Assyria, as an offering to the great king. Ephraim will be put to shame, Israel will be shamed by his schemes.

7 Samaria and her king will disappear, like a twig upon the waters.

8 The high places of Aven will be destroyed, the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will cry out to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall upon us!”