(KJV) Hosea 10¹

⥃Retribution for Israel’s Sin

[1] Israel [is] an empty vine², he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude³ of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images⁴.⁵ [2] Their heart is divided⁶; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down⁷ their altars, he shall spoil their images. [3] For now they shall say, We have⁸ no king, because we feared not the Lord; what then should a king do to us? [4] They have spoken words, swearing⁹ falsely in making a covenant: thus¹⁰ judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field. [5] The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves¹¹ of Beth–aven¹²: for the people¹³ thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests¹⁴ thereof [that] rejoiced on it, for the glory¹⁵ thereof, because it is departed from it. [6] It shall be also carried¹⁶ unto Assyria [for] a present¹⁷ to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive¹⁸ shame, and Israel shall be ashamed¹⁹ of his own counsel. [7] [As for] Samaria²⁰, her king²¹ is cut off as the foam upon the water²². [8] The high places²³ also of Aven, the sin²⁴ of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn²⁵ and the thistle shall come up on their altars²⁶; and they shall²⁷ say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us. [9] O Israel, thou hast sinned from²⁸ the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle²⁹ in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did³⁰ not overtake them. [10] [It is] in my³¹ desire that I should chastise them; and the³² people shall be gathered against them, when they³³ shall bind themselves in their two furrows. [11] And Ephraim [is as] an heifer³⁴ [that is] taught, [and] loveth³⁵ to tread out [the corn]; but³⁶ I passed over upon her fair neck³⁷: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah³⁸ shall plow, [and] Jacob shall break his clods. [12] Sow³⁹ to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break⁴⁰ up your fallow ground: for [it is] time⁴¹ to seek the Lord, till he come and rain⁴² righteousness upon you. [13] Ye have plowed⁴³ wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten⁴⁴ the fruit of lies: because thou didst⁴⁵ trust in thy way, in the⁴⁶ multitude of thy mighty men. [14] Therefore shall a⁴⁷ tumult arise among thy people, and all⁴⁸ thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as⁴⁹ Shalman spoiled Beth–arbel in the day of battle: the mother⁵⁰ was dashed in pieces upon [her] children. [15] So shall Beth–el⁵¹ do unto you because of your great wickedness⁵²: in⁵³ a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.