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Hosea

Uses the prophet's marriage as a symbol for Israel's unfaithfulness and God's faithful love.

Chapter 10

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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.

*Israel is like a barren vine producing fruit for itself. As the fruit increases, more altars are built and beautiful statues are made based on the richness of the land.

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

*Their hearts are not focused; now they will make mistakes: he will destroy their altars, and ruin their statues.

3 For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

*For now, people will say, "We have no leader" because we didn't fear the Lord. So, why would a leader cause us trouble?

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

*They said things, lying about their agreement; this leads to judgement like poisonous hemlock growing in farm fields.

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.

*The people of Samaria will be scared due to the idols in Bethaven. The people who worshipped them will be sad and the priests who were happy about them will also be sad, because the idols have left.

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.

*This will be taken to King Jareb of Assyria as a gift. Ephraim will feel embarrassed, and Israel will be ashamed of their own plans.

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

*The king of Samaria is taken away like bubbles on 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.

*The tall places of Aven, where Israel sinned, will be destroyed. Weeds will grow on their altars. They will ask the mountains and hills to cover and bury them.

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.

*O Israel, you have done wrong since the time of Gibeah. There, they fought: the battle at Gibeah was not successful against the wicked children.

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.

*I want to punish them, and many people will come together against them when they tie themselves in their two rows.

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.

*Ephraim is like a trained cow that enjoys walking on the grain. But I have walked on her pretty neck. I will make Ephraim ride. Judah will farm, and Jacob will break up the soil.

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.

*Plant goodness in your actions, receive kindness in return; prepare your untouched land; it's time to search for God, so He can shower you with justice.

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.

*You've done bad things, and now you're facing the consequences; you've enjoyed deceitful outcomes because you trusted in your own abilities and the strength of your powerful followers.

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.

*So chaos will happen among your people, and all your strongholds will be destroyed, just like how Shalman destroyed Betharbel in a fight. The mother was broken into pieces right in front of 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.

*Bethel will treat you badly because of your great wrongdoing; the king of Israel will be completely destroyed in the morning.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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