Retribution for Israel’s Sin

1Israel was a luxuriant vine,

yielding fruit for himself.

The more his fruit increased,

the more he increased the altars.

The better his land produced,

the better he made the sacred pillars.

2Their hearts are devious;

now they must bear their guilt.

The LORD will break down their altars

and demolish their sacred pillars.

3Surely now they will say,

“We have no king,

for we do not revere the LORD.

What can a king do for us?”

4They speak mere words;

with false oaths they make covenants.

So judgment springs up

like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.

5The people of Samaria will fear

for the calf of Beth-aven.a

Indeed, its people will mourn over it

with its idolatrous priests—

those who rejoiced in its glory—

for it has been taken from them into exile.

6Yes, it will be carried to Assyria

as tribute to the great king.b

Ephraimc will be seized with shame;

Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols.d

7Samaria will be carried off with her king

like a twig on the surface of the water.

8The high places of Avene will be destroyed—

it is the sin of Israel;

thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars.

Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!”

and to the hills, “Fall on us!”f

9Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel,

and there you have remained.

Did not the battle in Gibeah

overtake the sons of iniquity?g

10I will chasten them when I please;

nations will be gathered against them

to put them in bondage

for their double transgression.

11Ephraim is a well-trained heifer that loves to thresh;

but I will place a yoke on her fair neck.

I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow,

and Jacob will break the hard ground.

12Sow for yourselves righteousness

and reap the fruit of loving devotion;

break up your unplowed ground.

For it is time to seek the LORD

until He comes and sends righteousness

upon you like rain.

13You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice;

you have eaten the fruit of lies.

Because you have trusted in your own way

and in the multitude of your mighty men,

14the roar of battle will rise against your people,

so that all your fortresses will be demolished

as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel

in the day of battle,

when mothers were dashed to pieces

along with their children.

15Thus it will be done to you, O Bethel,

because of your great wickedness.

When the day dawns,

the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.