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A nation without a functioning king is no nation at all.

They speak a lot of sensible words,
    but their oaths are insincere, and their covenant promises are empty.
This is why the king’s judgment sprouts up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.
The people of Samaria are afraid of what will happen to the calf-idol of Beth-aven;
    the people will mourn for it, and its pagan priests will join in lament.
    They’ll wail when its glory departs.
The wretched idol will be taken to Assyria and given to the great king.
    Ephraim will be disgraced;
    Israel will be ashamed because of this king’s 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).