Hoseas 10

1 En frodig vinstok var Israel, som bar sin frugt, jo flere frugter, des flere Altre; som Landet gik frem, des skønnere Støtter.

Israel is like a spreading vine that produces fruit for itself. The more fruit they produced, the more altars they built. The more productive the land, the more beautiful they made the sacred pillars.

2 Deres Hjerte var glat, så lad dem da bøde! Han skal slå Altrene ned, lægge Støtterne øde.

The people have minds that are deceptive, and now they must take responsibility for their guilt. The Lord will break apart their altars and destroy their sacred pillars.

3 De siger jo nu: "Vi har ingen Konge; thi HERREN frygter vi ej; en Konge, hvad gavner han os?"

Then they will say, “We have no king, for we do not fear the Lord, and yet what would a king do for us?”

4 Med Ord slår de om sig, gør Mened og indgår Forbund, så Ret bliver Gifturt, der gror langs Markens Furer.

They speak empty words, swearing false promises to make a covenant. Their “justice” flourishes like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.

5 For Bet-Avens Kalv skal Samarias Borgere ængstes, ja, over den skal dens Folk og dens Præster sørge, jamre over deres Skat, thi den bortføres fra dem;

Those who live in Samaria tremble in awe at the calf of Beth-aven. Its people mourn for it in their pagan rituals, while its idolatrous priests celebrate its glory. But it will certainly be taken away from them. It will be brought to Assyria as tribute for the great king.

6 som Gave til Storkongen føres og den til Assur. Efraim høster kun Skændsel, Israel Skam af sin Afgud.

Ephraim will be disgraced, and Israel will be ashamed at its own decisions.

7 Samarias Konge slettes som Skum på Vandets Flade.

Samaria and its king will be destroyed, swept away like a twig on the surface of the water.

8 Øde er Afgudshøjene, Israels Synd, og på deres Altre skal Torn og Tidsel gro. De siger til Bjergene: "Skjul os!" til Højene: "Fald ned over os!"

The high places of Aven, where Israel sinned, will be demolished, and thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. Then they will call to the mountains, “Bury us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”

9 Du syndede, Israel, helt fra Gibeas Dage. Der i Gibea sagde man: "Krig skal ej nå os!" Men jeg kom over de Niddinger, revsede dem;

Since the days of Gibeah you have been sinning, Israel, and you haven't changed. Do the people of Gibeah think that war will not come to them?

10 Stammerne samled sig mod dem til Tugt for tvefold Brøde.

When I choose I will punish the wicked. The nations will be gathered together against them when they are punished for their double crime.

11 En tilvænnet Kvie var Efraim, tærskede villigt, Åget lagde jeg selv på dens skønne Hals; for Ploven spændte jeg Efraim, Juda for Harven.

Ephraim is like a trained heifer that loved to thresh the grain, but now I will place a yoke on her strong neck. I will harness Ephraim; Judah will have to pull the plough; and Jacob must break up the ground for himself.

12 Så eders Sæd i Retfærd, høst i Fromhed; bryd eder kundskabs Nyjord og søg så HERREN, til Retfærds Frugt bliver eder til Del.

Sow for yourselves what is right and you will reap unfailing love. Break up the unploughed ground. It's time to go to the Lord until he comes and rains down goodness on you.

13 I pløjede Gudløshed, høstede Uret, fortærede Løgnens Frugt. Fordi du slår Lid til dine Vogne og mange Helte,

But instead you have planted wickedness and reaped an evil harvest. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own strength and in your many warriors.

14 skal Kampgny stå i dine Byer og alle dine Borge. De skal ødelægges, som da Sjalman ødelagde Bet-Arbel på Stridens Dag. Moder skal knuses hos Børn.

The terrifying noise of battle will rise against your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed, just as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel in the time of war. Even mothers and children were dashed to pieces.

15 Det voldte Betel eder. For din Ondskabs Skyld skal Israels Konge, ved Morgengry gøres til intet.

This is what will happen to you, Bethel, because of your great wickedness. At dawn, the king of Israel will be utterly destroyed.