Chapter 10 - Israel the empty vine

1 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.

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

3 For now they shall say, 

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

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

5 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.

6 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.

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

8 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.1

9 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.

10 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.

11 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.

12 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.

13 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.

14 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.

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

Chapter 11

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1. Read: Revelation 6:16