Hosea 6:9

6:9 The company of priests is like a gang of robbers,

lying in ambush to pounce on a victim.

They commit murder on the road to Shechem;

they have done heinous crimes!

Hosea 9:16

9:16 Ephraim will be struck down ¹  –

their root will be dried up;

they will not yield any fruit.

Even if they do bear children,

I will kill their precious offspring.

[9:16]  ¹ tn Or perhaps, following the plant metaphor, “will be blighted” (NIV similar).