1. Israel empties his vine;He brings forth fruit for himself.According to the multitude of his fruitHe has increased the altars;According to the bounty of his landThey have embellished his sacred pillars.
2. Their heart is divided;Now they are held guilty.He will break down their altars;He will ruin their sacred pillars.
3. For now they say,“We have no king,Because we did not fear the Lord.And as for a king, what would he do for us?”
4. They have spoken words,Swearing falsely in making a covenant.Thus judgment springs up like hemlock in the furrows of the field.
5. The inhabitants of Samaria fearBecause of the calf of Beth Aven.For its people mourn for it,And its priests shriek for it—Because its glory has departed from it.
6. The idol also shall be carried to AssyriaAs a present for King Jareb.Ephraim shall receive shame,And Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
7. As for Samaria, her king is cut offLike a twig on the water.
8. Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel,Shall be destroyed.The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars;They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!”And to the hills, “Fall on us!”
9. “O Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah;There they stood.The battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquityDid not overtake them.