1Israel was a luxuriant spreading vine, he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more pagan altars; and as his land prospered, they have made more images. 2Their heart is divided and deceitful; and now they must bear their guilt. The LORD shall demolish their altars, and destroy their images. 3Then they shall say, “We have no king, because we did not reverence the LORD; but what could a king do for us, if we had one?” 4They (kings and nobles) make many promises, swearing falsely in making a covenant they do not intend to keep; therefore, injustice and lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.

5The inhabitants of Samaria tremble in fear of their calf-idol of Beth-aven; its people shall mourn over it, and its idolatrous priests that rejoiced over its splendor, because it is taken into exile from them. 6It shall be carried to Assyria as a present to King Jareb; Ephraim shall be disgraced, and Israel shall be ashamed of its foreign alliances. 7As for Samaria, her king will be swept away like driftwood on an ocean wave. 8The wicked shrines of Aven, places of Israel’s sin, shall be destroyed; thorns and thistles shall grow on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!”; and to the hills, “Fall on us.”

9The LORD says, “O Israel, since the days of Gibeah (Judges 20:32), you have sinned: there has just been sin and more sin. Was the battle in Gibeah against the wicked people there not justified? 10Now, whenever I please, I shall punish them; and nations shall be gathered against them, to enslave them for their persistent sin.

11“Ephraim is like a heifer that is taught, and loves to tread out the grain; so I will pass a yoke upon her fair neck; I will drive Ephraim; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. 12Sow righteousness to yourselves, reap the fruit of mercy; break up your fallow and unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers righteousness upon you.

13“You have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of lies; because you trust in your own way, and in the strength of your many mighty warriors, 14Therefore the roar of battle shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed - as Shalman (Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, (2 Kings 17)) spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle; when mothers were dashed in pieces upon her children. 15So shall it happen to you, Bethel, because of your great wickedness; in a morning shall the king of Israel be destroyed.