10:1 Israel was a fertile vine
that yielded fruit.
As his fruit multiplied,
he multiplied altars to Baal.
As his land prospered,
they adorned the fertility pillars.
10:2 Their heart is slipping;
soon they will be punished for their guilt.
The Lord
he will completely destroy their fertility pillars.
10:3 Very soon they will say, “We have no king
since we did not fear the Lord.
But what can a king do for us anyway?”
10:4 They
taking
Therefore legal disputes sprout up
like poisonous weeds
10:5 The inhabitants
Its people will mourn over it;
its idolatrous priests will wail
because its splendor will be taken from them
10:6 Even the calf idol
as tribute for the great king.
Ephraim will be disgraced;
Israel will be put to shame because
10:7 Samaria and its king will be carried off
like a twig
10:8 The high places of the “House
it is the place where Israel sins.
Thorns and thistles will grow up over its altars.
Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!”
and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
10:9 O Israel, you have sinned since the time
and there you have remained.
Did not war overtake the evildoers in Gibeah?
10:10 When I please,
I will gather nations together to attack them,
to bind them in chains
10:11 Ephraim was a well-trained heifer who loved to thresh grain;
I myself put a fine yoke
I will harness Ephraim.
Let Judah plow!
Let Jacob break up
10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap unfailing love.
Break up the unplowed ground for yourselves,
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes and showers deliverance
10:13 But you have plowed wickedness;
you have reaped injustice;
you have eaten the fruit of deception.
Because you have depended on your chariots;
you have relied
10:14 The roar of battle will rise against your people;
all your fortresses will be devastated,
just as Shalman devastated
when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children.
10:15 So will it happen to you, O Bethel,
because of your great wickedness!
When that day dawns,
the king of Israel will be destroyed.