the Fourth Week of Advent
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American Standard Version
Hosea 10
1 Israel is a luxuriant vine, that putteth forth his fruit: according to the abundance of his fruit he hath multiplied his altars; according to the [a]goodness of their land they have made goodly [b]pillars. 2 [c]Their heart is [d]divided; now shall they be found guilty: he will smite their altars, he will destroy their [e]pillars. 3 Surely now shall they say, We have no king; for we fear not Jehovah; and the king, what can he do for us?
4 They speak vain words, [f]swearing falsely in making covenants: therefore judgment [g]springeth up as [h]hemlock in the furrows of the field. 5 The inhabitants of Samaria shall be in terror for the calves of Beth-aven; for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and [i]the priests thereof that rejoiced over it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it. 6 It also shall be carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel. 7 [j]As for Samaria, her king is cut off, as [k]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. 9 O Israel, thou hast sinned [l]from the days of Gibeah: [m]there they stood; [n]the battle against the children of iniquity doth not overtake them in Gibeah.
10 When it is my desire, I will chastise them; and the peoples shall be gathered against them, when they are [o]bound [p]to their two transgressions. 11 And Ephraim is a heifer that is taught, that loveth to tread out the grain; but I have passed over upon her fair neck: I will set a rider on Ephraim; Judah shall plow, Jacob shall break his clods.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek Jehovah, till he come and [q]rain righteousness upon you. 13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of [r]lies; for thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men. 14 Therefore shall a tumult arise [s]among thy [t]people, and all thy fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces with her children. 15 [u]So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: at daybreak shall the king of Israel be utterly cut off.
