1. Israel is a luxuriant vinethat 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 altarsand destroy their pillars.
3. For now they will say: “We have no king,for we do not fear 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.