Hosea 10:9-15

9The Lord says, ‘People of Israel, you have continued to do bad things, since the time that you were at Gibeah. When the people did evil things at Gibeah, war destroyed them as a result.

10When I decide that the time is right, I will punish the Israelites. Because of their many sins, I will bring other nations to attack them. Their enemies will tie them up with chains.

11Ephraim was like a cow that I had taught to stamp on grain. She loved to work for me. But now I will make her do hard work! I will put a heavy yoke on her beautiful neck. Judah will also have to plough the ground. Jacob's descendants must work to dig up the hard ground.

12Be like a farmer who plants good seed. Plant things that are good and right. Then your harvest will be faithful love. Plough the hard ground and prepare it for the Lord to bless you. It is time for you to turn back to the Lord. Then he will bless you with good things, like rain that falls on the ground!

13But instead, you have planted evil things. So your harvest is terrible trouble. The food that you eat comes from your lies. You trusted in your own strength to save you. You thought that your strong army would keep you safe.

14So you will soon hear the noise of war. Enemies will destroy all your strong buildings. It will be like the time that King Shalman's army destroyed Beth Arbel. In that battle, cruel soldiers killed mothers together with their children.

15The same thing will happen to you, people of Bethel, because of the wicked things that you have done. When the day of your punishment arrives, the king of Israel will surely die.’