Disgrace
10
📚Israel became an empty vine✭.He brought forth fruit for himself✭.
As his fruit multiplied,
he increased the number of altars.
As the prosperity
of his land increased
they adorned his sacred pillars✭.
2 📚Their heart is divided✭.
Now they must bear
their guilt✭.
He will break down✭ their altars,
he will ruin their sacred pillars.
3 📚✭For now they will say,
“We have no king,
because we did not fear the LORD.
What then could a king do for us?”
4 📚✭They speak words,
swearing falsely while making a covenant.
So judgment springs up like
poisonous weeds in the furrows
of the field.
5 📚The inhabitants of Samaria
will fear for the calf idols✭
of Beth-Aven✭;
yes, its people will mourn over it,
and its priests,
who have rejoiced over it
for its splendour,
because it has now departed
from it.
6 📚And the idol will be carried
to Assyria as a present
for King Jareb.
Ephraim will be humiliated,
and Israel will be ashamed✭
of his own counsel.
7 📚As for Samaria,
her king will be cut off like a stick
on the water.
8 📚And the high places✭ of Aven ✭,
the sin of Israel✭,
will be destroyed.
The thorn and the thistle
will come up on their altars,
and they will say to the mountains,
“Cover us!” And to the hills,
“Fall on us✭”.
9 📚✭“O Israel, you have sinned
from the days of Gibeah.
There they stood.
Then the battle
in Gibeah against the children
of wickedness did not overtake them.
10 📚When it is my desire✭
I will punish them;
and peoples will be gathered against them,
when they are to be bound
for their two transgressions✭.
11 📚And Ephraim✭ is like a trained
heifer that loves to thresh
the grain,
but I will put a yoke
on her fair neck.
I will drive Ephraim;
Judah will plow, and Jacob
will break up his clods”.
12 📚Sow for yourselves in righteousness,
reap✭ in mercy.
Break up your fallow ground✭.
For it is time to seek
the LORD✭, until he comes
and rains righteousness✭ on you.
13 📚✭You have plowed wickedness,
you have reaped evil.
You have eaten the fruit of lies✭,
because you trusted in your way✭,
in your many mighty men✭.
14 📚✭Therefore a tumult will arise
among your people,
and all your fortresses will be plundered,
as Shalman spoiled Beth Arbel
on the day of battle;
the mother was dashed in pieces
on her children.
15 📚Thus it will be done to you,
Bethel✭, because of your great wickedness.
In one morning the king of Israel
will be completely cut off.