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.
10. When it is My desire, I will chasten them.Peoples shall be gathered against themWhen I bind them for their two transgressions.
11. Ephraim is a trained heiferThat loves to thresh grain;But I harnessed her fair neck,I will make Ephraim pull a plow.Judah shall plow;Jacob shall break his clods.”
12. Sow for yourselves righteousness;Reap in mercy;Break up your fallow ground,For it is time to seek the Lord,Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
13. You have plowed wickedness;You have reaped iniquity.You have eaten the fruit of lies,Because you trusted in your own way,In the multitude of your mighty men.
14. Therefore tumult shall arise among your people,And all your fortresses shall be plunderedAs Shalman plundered Beth Arbel in the day of battle—A mother dashed in pieces upon her children.
15. Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel,Because of your great wickedness.At dawn the king of IsraelShall be cut off utterly.