A reading from the Book of Hosea.

Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more

altars he built. As his country improved, he improved his pillars. Their heart is false. Now

they must bear their guilt. The Lord will break down their altars and destroy their pillars.

For now they will say, we have no king, for we do not fear the Lord. And a king, what could he do

for us? They utter mere words. With empty oaths, they make covenants. So judgment springs up like

poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field. The inhabitants of Samaria tremble

for the calf of Beth Avon. Its people mourn for it, and so do its idolatrous priests.

Those who rejoiced over it and over its glory, for it has departed from them. The thing itself

shall be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim shall be put to shame, and Israel shall be

ashamed of his idol. Samaria's king shall perish like a twig on the face of the waters.

The high places of Avon, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistles shall grow up on

their altars, and they shall say to the mountains, cover us, and to the hills, fall on us. From the days of

Givya you have sinned, O Israel, there they have continued. Shall not the war against the unjust

overtake them in Gibia. When I please I will discipline them, and nations shall be gathered against

them when they are bound up for their double iniquity. Ephraim was a trained

calf that loved to Thresh, and I spared her fair neck, but I will put Ephraim to the yoke.

Judah must plow. Jacob must harrow for himself. So for yourselves righteousness,

reap steadfast love. Break up your follow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come

and reign righteousness upon you. You have plowed iniquity, you have reaped injustice,

you have eaten the fruit of lies, because you have trusted in your own way, and in the multitude

of your warriors. Therefore the tumult of war shall arise among your people, and all your

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