The Father Calls His Divided Children to Account
10 1 Israel was a lush vine that yielded its fruit. The more his fruit, the more altars he built the richer his land, the finer he made his sacred pillars. 2 Their hearts are divided now they must bear their guilt. He will break down their altars and shatter their sacred pillars.
3 For now they will say, "We have no king because we did not fear our Father and a king, what could he do for us?" 4 They speak mere words, swearing empty oaths and making covenants so judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field. 5 The people of Samaria tremble for the calf of Beth-aven. Its people mourn over it and its idol-priests wail over it, over its glory that has departed from it. 6 The idol itself will be carried off to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame and Israel will be ashamed of his own plans. 7 Samaria's king will perish like a twig tossed on the water. 8 The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. Thorns and thistles will grow up over their altars and they will say to the mountains, "Cover us," and to the hills, "Fall on us."
9 Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, Israel there they have taken their stand. Will not war overtake them in Gibeah? 10 When I please, I will discipline them and nations will be gathered against them, binding them tight for their double guilt.
11 Ephraim was a trained heifer that loved to thresh and I spared her beautiful neck but now I will harness Ephraim, Judah must plow and Jacob must break up the ground for himself. 12 Sow for yourselves righteousness reap the fruit of steadfast love break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek our Father, until he comes and rains righteousness down upon you.
13 You have plowed wickedness you have reaped injustice you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your warriors, 14 the roar of battle will rise against your people and all your fortresses will be devastated, as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel on the day of war, when mothers were dashed to pieces with their children. 15 So it will be done to you, Bethel because of your great evil. At dawn the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.