4. “They set up kings, but not by Me;They made princes, but I did not acknowledge them.From their silver and goldThey made idols for themselves—That they might be cut off.
5. Your calf is rejected, O Samaria!My anger is aroused against them—How long until they attain to innocence?
6. For from Israel is even this:A workman made it, and it is not God;But the calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.
7. “They sow the wind,And reap the whirlwind.The stalk has no bud;It shall never produce meal.If it should produce,Aliens would swallow it up.
8. Israel is swallowed up;Now they are among the GentilesLike a vessel in which is no pleasure.
9. For they have gone up to Assyria,Like a wild donkey alone by itself;Ephraim has hired lovers.
10. Yes, though they have hired among the nations,Now I will gather them;And they shall sorrow a little,Because of the burden of the king of princes.
11. “Because Ephraim has made many altars for sin,They have become for him altars for sinning.
12. I have written for him the great things of My law,But they were considered a strange thing.
13. For the sacrifices of My offerings they sacrifice flesh and eat it,But the Lord does not accept them.Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.They shall return to Egypt.