Hosea 10:5-15 ▼

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 !”

9 Since the days of Gibeah (hill) you have sinned, O Israel (he wrestles with God), and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity?

10 I will chasten them when I please; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bondage for their double transgression.

11 Ephraim (doubly fruitful) is a well-trained heifer that loves to thresh; but I will place a yoke on her fair neck. I will harness Ephraim, Judah (praised) will plow, and Jacob (he grasps the heel) will break the hard ground.

12 Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your⁺ unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD {YHWH} until He comes and sends righteousness upon you⁺ like rain.

13 You⁺ have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you⁺ have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men,

14 the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman (fire-worshipper) (house of God's Ambush) devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.

15 Thus it will be done to you⁺, O Bethel (house of God), because of your⁺ great wickedness. When the day dawns, the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) will be utterly cut off.