Hosea 10

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.*10.1 an…: or, a vine emptying the fruit which it giveth*10.1 images: Heb. statues, or, standing images 2 Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.*10.2 Their heart…: or, He hath divided their heart*10.2 break…: Heb. behead*10.2 images: Heb. statues, or, standing 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 Beth-aven: 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.*10.5 the priests…: or, Chemarim 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.*10.7 the water: Heb. the face of 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.

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.*10.10 when…: or, when I shall bind them for their two transgressions, or, in their two habitations 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.*10.11 her…: Heb. the beauty of her neck 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 Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children. 15 So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.*10.15 your…: Heb. the evil of your evil

斥责以色列拜偶像

1 以色列最茂盛的葡萄树，

自己能结果子。

他的果子越多，

他就越增添祭坛；

他的土地越肥美，

他就使柱像越美丽。

2 他们心怀诡诈，

现在要承担这罪的惩罚。

耶和华必拆毁他们的祭坛，

毁坏他们的柱像。

3 那时他们必说："我们没有君王，因为我们不敬畏耶和华。

至于君王，他能为我们作甚么呢？"

4 他们说很多话，

起假誓，又立盟约；

所以审判像毒草一般在田间的犁沟中生长起来。

5 撒玛利亚的居民

必因伯．亚文的牛犊而惧怕；

拜牛犊的人民必为它哀恸。

拜牛犊的祭司必为它哀号，

都因它的荣耀离开它而被掳去了。

6 人要把它带到亚述去，

作贡物献给那里的大王。

以法莲必受羞辱，

以色列必因自己的计谋蒙羞。

7 至于撒玛利亚，她与她的君王必被剪除；

好象浮在水面的枯枝一般。

8 伯．亚文的邱坛，就是以色列的罪恶，都要被拆毁；

荆棘和蒺藜必在他们的祭坛上面长起来。

那时人要对大山说：

"遮盖我们！"对小山说："倒在我们身上！"

耶和华的审判

9 以色列啊！从基比亚的日子以来，

你就犯罪，

他们仍然留在那里，

难道攻击恶人的战祸不能在基比亚赶上他们吗？

10 我必来惩罚他们；

他们被自己那双重的罪孽捆绑的时候，

列国就集结起来攻击他们。

11 以法莲是一头驯服的母牛犊，喜爱踹谷；

我却要把轭扣在牠肥美的颈项上，

我要使以法莲拖犁；

犹大要耕田，雅各必为自己耙地。

12 你们要为自己撒种公义，

就能收割慈爱的果子，

你们要翻松荒地。

现在是寻求耶和华的时候，

直等到他来，降下公义的雨在你们身上。

13 你们耕种奸恶，收割不义，

自吃谎言的果子；

因为你倚靠自己的能力和众多的勇士。

14 所以必有哄嚷之声攻击你的众民，

你的一切城堡都必被毁坏，

正如沙勒幔在争战的日子毁坏伯．亚比勒一般，

有母亲与儿女一同在那里被摔死。

15 伯特利啊，因你们的罪大恶极，

我必这样待你们。

在风暴中，以色列的王必全然被除灭。