Chapter 10

Israel [is] an empty⁶ vine, he bringeth forth¹⁷ fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased⁵² the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly⁵² images.

Their heart is divided;¹ now shall they be found faulty:⁴ he shall break down⁴ their altars, he shall spoil²⁵ their images.

For now they shall say,⁴ We have no king, because we feared¹ not the LORD; what then should a king do⁴ to us?

They have spoken¹⁴ words, swearing² falsely in making² a covenant: thus judgment springeth up¹ as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear⁴ because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn¹ over it, and the priests thereof [that] rejoiced⁴ on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed¹ from it.

It shall be also carried⁹³ unto Assyria [for] a present to king Jareb: ^{7378 4} Ephraim shall receive⁴ shame, and Israel shall be ashamed⁴ of his own counsel.

[As for] Samaria, her king is cut off⁸ as the foam upon the water.

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed:⁸ the thorn and the thistle shall come up⁴ on their altars; and they shall say¹ to the mountains, Cover¹⁶ us; and to the hills, Fall³ on us.

O Israel, thou hast sinned¹ from the days of Gibeah: there they stood:¹ the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake⁵⁵ them.

[It is] in my desire that I should chastise⁴ them; and the people shall be gathered²⁷ against them, when they shall bind² themselves in their two furrows. ⁵⁸⁶⁹

And Ephraim [is as] an heifer [that is] taught,³⁰ [and] loveth⁶ to tread out² [the corn]; but I passed over¹ upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride;⁵⁵ Judah shall plow,⁴ [and] Jacob shall break his clods.¹⁷

Sow³ to yourselves in righteousness, reap³ in mercy; break up³ your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek² the LORD, till he come⁴ and rain⁵⁵ righteousness upon you.

Ye have plowed¹ wickedness, ye have reaped¹ iniquity; ye have eaten¹ the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust¹ in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

Therefore shall a tumult arise¹ among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled,⁹³ as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces²⁷ upon [her] children.

So shall Bethel do¹ unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly⁹ be cut off.⁸