1-4. Doom to the pretentious drunks of Ephraim,shabby and washed out and seedy—Tipsy, sloppy-fat, beer-bellied parodiesof a proud and handsome past.Watch closely: God has someone picked out,someone tough and strong to flatten them.Like a hailstorm, like a hurricane, like a flash flood,one-handed he’ll throw them to the ground.Samaria, the party hat on Israel’s head,will be knocked off with one blow.It will disappear quicker thana piece of meat tossed to a dog.
5-6. At that time, God-of-the-Angel-Armies will bethe beautiful crown on the head of what’s left of his people:Energy and insights of justice to those who guide and decide,strength and prowess to those who guard and protect.