Hosea 10

Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

Israel is like a barren vine, only producing fruit for its own benefit. The more it yields, the more altars it builds; using the richness of its land to create beautiful idols.

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

Their hearts are false, and now they must bear their guilt. Their sacred places will be destroyed, their idols shattered.

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

Now, they'll admit, "We lack a king, for we didn't respect God. So, what good would a king do for us?"

They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

They've lied, breaking promises and trust: so, justice grows bitter and poisonous, like a weed in a field.

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

The people of Samaria will tremble, scared by the golden calves of Bethaven. They will grieve deeply, even the priests who once celebrated it, for its splendor has faded away.

It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

The gift will be taken to Assyria, for King Jareb. Ephraim will feel humiliation, and Israel will regret its own advice.

As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.

Samaria's king has vanished, like a fleeting bubble on the water's surface.

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

The sacred sites of Aven, symbols of Israel's wrongdoings, will be demolished. Thorns and thistles will overrun their altars. Overwhelmed with despair, they'll beg the mountains to hide them and the hills to bury them.

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

Oh Israel, you've been sinning since the days of Gibeah. Despite the battle there against the wicked, they were not defeated.

It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

I yearn to correct them; as people unite against them, they'll feel trapped by their own actions.

And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.

Ephraim is like a trained young cow, delighting in threshing grain. But I will put a yoke on her fine neck. I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow, and Jacob will break the soil.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Plant seeds of goodness, harvest love and kindness; prepare your hearts. It's time to search for God, until His blessings of righteousness shower upon you.

Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

You've sown seeds of evil, and harvested sin; you've feasted on deceit. All because you relied on your own path, and the strength of your many warriors.

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

Thus, chaos will erupt among your people, and all your strongholds will be destroyed, just as Shalman devastated Betharbel in the heat of battle. Tragically, even mothers will fall, crushed amidst their own children.

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

Because of your immense wrongdoings, Bethel will bring you down. By dawn, the king of Israel will be completely removed.