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[1]Israel is a empty vine, yet hath it brought forth fruit unto itself, and according to the multitude of the fruit thereof he hath increased the altars: according to the goodness of their land they have made fair images.
[2]Their heart is divided: now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars: he shall destroy their images.
[3]For now they shall say, We have no king because we feared not the Lord: and what should a king do to us?
[4]They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment groweth as wormwood in the furrows of the field.
[5]The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calf of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the Chemarims thereof, that rejoiced on it for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
[6]It shall be also brought to Assyria, for a present unto king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
[7]Of Samaria, the king thereof is destroyed as the foam upon the water.
[8]The high places also of Aven shall be destroyed, even the sin of Israel: the thorn and the thistle shall grow upon their altars, and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us, and to the hills, Fall upon us.
[9]O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not touch them.
[10]It is my desire that I should chastise them, and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall gather themselves in their two furrows.
[11]And Ephraim is as an heifer used to delight in threshing: but I will pass by her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride: Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.
[12]Sow to yourselves in righteousness: reap after the measure of mercy: break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
[13]But you have plowed wickedness: ye have reaped iniquity: you have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thine own ways, and in the multitude of thy strong men,
[14]Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy munitions shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-Arbel in the day of battle: the mother with the children was dashed in pieces.
[15]So shall Beth-el do unto you, because of your malicious wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel be destroyed.
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