1Israel is a luxuriant vine , that putteth forth his fruit : according to the abundance of his fruit he hath multiplied his altars ; according to the goodness of their land they have made goodly pillars . 2Their heart is divided ; now shall they be found guilty: he will smite their altars , he will destroy their pillars . 3Surely now shall they say, We have no king ; for we fear not Jehovah ; and the king , what can he do for us ?
The Call to Repentance
4They speak vain words , swearing falsely in making covenants : therefore judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field . 5The inhabitants of Samaria shall be in terror for the calves of Beth-aven ; for the people thereof shall mourn over it , and the priests thereof that rejoiced over it , for the glory thereof , because it is departed from it . 6It also shall be carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb : Ephraim shall receive shame , and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel .
The Judgment of God
7As for Samaria , her king is cut off , as foam upon the water . 8The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel , shall be destroyed : the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars ; and they shall say to the mountains , Cover us ; and to the hills , Fall on us . 9O Israel , thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah : there they stood ; the battle against the children of iniquity doth not overtake them in Gibeah . 10When it is my desire, I will chastise them ; and the peoples shall be gathered against them , when they are bound to their two transgressions.
A Call to Sowing Righteousness
11And Ephraim is a heifer that is taught , that loveth to tread out the grain ; but I have passed over upon her fair neck : I will set a rider on Ephraim; Judah shall plow , Jacob shall break his clods . 12Sow to yourselves in righteousness , reap according to kindness ; break up your fallow ground ; for it is time to seek Jehovah , till he come and rain righteousness upon you . 13Ye have plowed wickedness , ye have reaped iniquity ; ye have eaten the fruit of lies ; for thou didst trust in thy way , in the multitude of thy mighty men . 14Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people , and all thy fortresses shall be destroyed , as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battle : the mother was dashed in pieces with her children . 15So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness : at daybreak shall the king of Israel be utterly cut off .