[1] 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. [2] Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD
will break down their altars, and destroy their pillars. [3] For now they
will say: "We have no king, for we fear not the LORD, and a king, what
could he do for us?" [4] They utter mere words; with empty oaths they make
covenants; so judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of
the field. [5] The inhabitants of Sama'ria tremble for the calf of
Beth-a'ven. Its people shall mourn for it, and its idolatrous priests shall
wail over it, over its glory which has departed from it. [6] Yea, the thing
itself shall be carried to Assyria, as tribute to the great king. E'phraim
shall be put to shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his idol. [7]
Sama'ria's king shall perish, like a chip on the face of the waters. [8]
The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. Thorn and
thistle shall grow up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains,
Cover us, and to the hills, Fall upon us. [9] From the days of Gib'e-ah,
you have sinned, O Israel; there they have continued. Shall not war
overtake them in Gib'e-ah? [10] I will come against the wayward people to
chastise them; and nations shall be gathered against them when they are
chastised for their double iniquity. [11] E'phraim was a trained heifer
that loved to thresh, and I spared her fair neck; but I will put E'phraim
to the yoke, Judah must plow, Jacob must harrow for himself. [12] Sow for
yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of steadfast love; break up your
fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and
rain salvation upon you. [13] You have plowed iniquity, you have reaped
injustice, you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in
your chariots and in the multitude of your warriors, [14] therefore the
tumult of war shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall
be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-ar'bel on the day of battle;
mothers were dashed in pieces with their children. [15] Thus it shall be
done to you, O house of Israel, because of your great wickedness. In the
storm the king of Israel shall be utterly cut off.
