[1] Israel is a luxuriant vine, that puts forth his fruit: according to the
abundance of his fruit he has multiplied his altars; according to the
goodness of their land they have made goodly pillars. [2] Their heart is
divided; now shall they be found guilty: he will strike their altars, he
will destroy their pillars. [3] Surely now shall they say, We have no king;
for we don`t fear Yahweh; and the king, what can he do for us? [4] They
speak [vain] words, swearing falsely in making covenants: therefore
judgment springs up as hemlock in the furrows of the field. [5] The
inhabitants of Samaria shall be in terror for the calves of Beth-aven; for
the people of it shall mourn over it, and the priests of it who rejoiced
over it, for the glory of it, because it is departed from it. [6] It also
shall be carried to Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall
receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel. [7] [As for]
Samaria, her king is cut off, as foam on the water. [8] The high places
also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the
thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall tell the mountains,
Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us. [9] Israel, you have sinned from
the days of Gibeah: there they stood; the battle against the children of
iniquity does not overtake them in Gibeah. [10] When it is my desire, I
will chastise them; and the peoples shall be gathered against them, when
they are bound to their two transgressions. [11] Ephraim is a heifer that
is taught, that loves to tread out [the grain]; but I have passed over on
her beautiful neck: I will set a rider on Ephraim; Judah shall plow, Jacob
shall break his clods. [12] Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap
according to kindness; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek
Yahweh, until he come and rain righteousness on you. [13] You have plowed
wickedness, you have reaped iniquity; you have eaten the fruit of lies; for
you did trust in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men. [14]
Therefore shall a tumult arise among your people, and all your fortresses
shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battle:
the mother was dashed in pieces with her children. [15] So shall Bethel do
to you because of your great wickedness: at daybreak shall the king of
Israel be utterly cut off.
