5. The people from Israel are worried aboutthe calf-shaped idol at Beth Aven.The people will cry about it,and the priests will cry about it.They used to shout for joy about its glory,
6. but it will be carried off to Assyriaas a gift to the great king.Israel will be disgraced,and the people will be ashamed for not obeying.
7. Israel will be destroyed;its king will be like a chip of wood floating on the water.
8. The places of false worship will be destroyed,the places where Israel sins.Thorns and weeds will grow upand cover their altars.Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!”and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
9. “Israel, you have sinned since the time of Gibeah,and the people there have continued sinning.But war will surely overwhelm them in Gibeah,because of the evil they have done there.
10. When I am ready,I will come to punish them.Nations will come together against them,and they will be punished for their double sins.
11. Israel is like a well-trained young cowthat likes to thresh grain.I will put a yoke on her neckand make her work hard in the field.Israel will plow,and Judah will break up the ground.