1
Israel is a luxuriantvine; He producesfruit for himself. The more his fruit, The morealtars he made; The richer his land, The better he made the sacred pillars.
5
The inhabitants of Samaria will fear For the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn for it, And its idolatrouspriests will cry out over it, Over its glory, since it has departed from it.
6
The thing itself will be carried to Assyria As tribute to KingJareb; Ephraim will be seized with shame And Israel will be ashamed of its own counsel.
8
Also the highplaces of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; Thorn and thistle will grow on their altars; Then they will say to the mountains, "Cover us!" And to the hills, "Fall on us!"
11
Ephraim is a trainedheifer that loves to thresh, But I will comeover her fairneck with a yoke; I will harnessEphraim, Judah will plow, Jacob will harrow for himself.
12
Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallowground, For it is time to seek the LORDUntil He comes to rainrighteousness on you.
13
You have plowedwickedness, you have reapedinjustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way, in your numerouswarriors,
14
Therefore a tumult will arise among your people, And all your fortresses will be destroyed, As ShalmandestroyedBeth-arbel on the day of battle, When mothers were dashed in pieces with their children.