¹ Israel is an empty vine, he brings forward fruit to himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he has increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. ² Their heart is divided; now will they be found faulty: he will break down their altars, he will spoil their images. ³ For now they will say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us? ⁴ They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: so judgment springs up as hemlock in the furrows of the field. ⁵ The inhabitants of Samaria will fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people of it will mourn over it, and the priests of it that rejoiced on it, for the glory of it, because it is departed from it. ⁶ It will be also carried to Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim will receive shame, and Israel will be ashamed of his own counsel. ⁷ As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam on the water. ⁸ The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle will come up on their altars; and they will 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 iniquity did not overtake them. ¹⁰ It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people will be gathered against them, when they will bind themselves in their two furrows. ¹¹ And Ephraim is as a heifer that is taught, and loves to tread out the corn; but I passed over on her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah will plow, and Jacob will break his clods. ¹² Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness on you. ¹³ You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped iniquity; you have eaten the fruit of lies: because you did trust in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men. ¹⁴ Therefore will a tumult arise among your people, and all your fortresses will be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces on her children. ¹⁵ So will Bethel do to you because of your great wickedness: in a morning will the king of Israel utterly be cut off.