1. Israel is a luxuriant vine; he yields fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he made numerous altars. The more his land prospered, the more he improved his stone pillars.
2. Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. He himself will break down their altars; he will destroy their stone pillars.
3. For now they will say, “We have no king; indeed, we did not fear Yahweh, and what can a king do for us?”
4. They utter words of vain oaths when making covenants, and judgment blossoms like a poisonous plant on the furrows of the field.
5. The inhabitants of Samaria tremble for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, his people will mourn for it, and his idolatrous priests will wail over it— over its glory because it has departed from it.
6. It will also be brought to Assyria, as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will obtain disgrace and Israel will be ashamed from his advice.
7. Samaria will be destroyed; her king is like a chip on the surface of the water.
8. The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. Thorn and thistle will grow on their altars. They will say to the mountains, “Cover us,” and to the hills, “Fall on us.”
9. From the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel; there they have remained. Will not war in Gibeah overtake them against the children of evil?