1Israel is an empty vine; he brings forth fruit for himself. The more fruit he had, the more altars he built. The better his land was, the finer he made his images.
2Their heart is divided; now they will be found guilty. He will break down their altars. He will ruin their images.
3For now they will say, "We have no king, because we did not fear the LORD. And what could a king do for us anyway?"
4They have spoken words, swearing falsely when they make a covenant. So judgment springs up like poison weeds in the furrows of a field.
5The people who live in Samaria will be afraid because of the calves of Bethaven. Its people will mourn over it, and so will its priests who used to rejoice over it, because its glory has gone away from it.
6It will also be carried to Assyria as a gift for king Jareb. Ephraim will be put to shame, and Israel will be ashamed of his own plan.
7As for Samaria, her king is cut off like foam upon the water.
8The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. Thorns and thistles will grow up on their altars. They will say to the mountains, "Cover us," and to the hills, "Fall on us."
9Israel, you have sinned since the days of Gibeah. There they stood. The battle in Gibeah against the children of wickedness did not overtake them.
10It is my desire to punish them. The peoples will be gathered against them, when they are bound for their two sins.
11Ephraim is like a trained young cow that loves to tread out the grain. But I passed over her fair neck. I will make Ephraim pull the harness. Judah will plough, and Jacob will break up his clods of earth.
12Sow for yourselves in righteousness; reap in mercy. Break up your unploughed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and rains righteousness on you.
13You have ploughed wickedness; you have reaped evil. You have eaten the fruit of lies. This is because you trusted in your own way, and in your many strong men.
14So an uproar will rise among your people, and all your strongholds will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Betharbel on the day of battle. The mother was dashed to pieces upon her children.
15So Bethel will do to you, because of your great wickedness. In a morning the king of Israel will be completely cut off.