CHAPTER 10
Israel
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.
Their hearts
are devious;
now
they must bear their guilt.
The LORD
will break down
their altars
and demolish
their sacred pillars.
Surely
now
they will say,
“We have
no
king,
for
we do not
revere
the LORD.
What
can a king
do
for us?”
They speak
mere words;
with false
oaths
they make
covenants.
So judgment
springs up
like poisonous weeds
in
the furrows
of a field.
The people
of Samaria
will fear
for the calf
of
Beth-aven.
Indeed,
its people
will mourn
for it
with its idolatrous priests—
those who rejoiced
in
its glory—
for
it has been taken from them into exile.
Yes,
it will be carried
to Assyria
as tribute
to the great
king.
Ephraim
will be seized
with shame
and Israel
ashamed
of its wooden idols.
The high places
of Aven,
the sin
of Israel,
will be destroyed;
thorns
and thistles
will grow
over
their altars.
Then they will say
to the mountains,
“Cover us!”
and to the hills,
“Fall
on us!”
Since the days
of Gibeah
you have sinned,
O Israel,
and there
you have remained.
Did not
the battle
in Gibeah
overtake
the sons
of iniquity?
I will chasten them
when I please;
nations
will be gathered
against them
to put them in bondage
for their double
transgression.
Ephraim
is a well-trained
heifer
that loves
to thresh;
but I
will place a yoke
on
her fair
neck.
I will harness
Ephraim,
Judah
will plow,
and Jacob
will break the hard ground.
Sow
for yourselves
righteousness
and reap the fruit
of loving devotion;
break up
your
unplowed ground.
For it is time
to seek
the LORD
until
He comes
and sends righteousness
upon you
like rain.
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,
the roar of battle
will rise
against your people,
so that all
your fortresses
will be demolished
as Shalman
devastated
Beth-arbel
in the day
of battle,
when mothers
were dashed to pieces
along with
their children.
Thus
it will be done
to you,
O Bethel,
because of
your great
wickedness.
When the day dawns,
the king
of Israel
will be utterly
cut off.