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They spoke words—
empty oaths to make a covenant.
But judgment springs up as hemlock
    in the furrows of the field.
The inhabitants of Samaria will quarrel
    over the calves of Beth-aven.
Indeed its people will mourn over it,
    but its priests will tremble over it.
For its glory will surely depart from it.
It also will be carried to Assyria
    as tribute to a warring king.
Ephraim will receive shame
    and Israel will be put to shame by its own counsel.

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They make many promises,
    take false oaths(A)
    and make agreements;(B)
therefore lawsuits spring up
    like poisonous weeds(C) in a plowed field.
The people who live in Samaria fear
    for the calf-idol(D) of Beth Aven.[a](E)
Its people will mourn over it,
    and so will its idolatrous priests,(F)
those who had rejoiced over its splendor,
    because it is taken from them into exile.(G)
It will be carried to Assyria(H)
    as tribute(I) for the great king.(J)
Ephraim will be disgraced;(K)
    Israel will be ashamed(L) of its foreign alliances.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 10:5 Beth Aven means house of wickedness (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means house of God).