1Set the trumpet to thy mouth . As an eagle he cometh against the house of Jehovah , because they have transgressed my covenant , and trespassed against my law . 2They shall cry unto me , My God, we Israel know thee. 3Israel hath cast off that which is good : the enemy shall pursue him .
The Idolatry of Israel
4They have set up kings , but not by me ; they have made princes , and I knew it not : of their silver and their gold have they made them idols , that they may be cut off . 5He hath cast off thy calf , O Samaria ; mine anger is kindled against them : how long will it be ere they attain to innocency ? 6For from Israel is even this ; the workman made it , and it is no God ; yea , the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces .
The Consequences of Rejection
7For they sow the wind , and they shall reap the whirlwind : he hath no standing grain ; the blade shall yield no meal ; if so be it yield , strangers shall swallow it up . 8Israel is swallowed up : now are they among the nations as a vessel wherein none delighteth. 9For they are gone up to Assyria, like a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers. 10Yea , though they hire among the nations , now will I gather them ; and they begin to be diminished by reason of the burden of the king of princes .
Call to Repentance
11Because Ephraim hath multiplied altars for sinning , altars have been unto him for sinning . 12I wrote for him the ten thousand things of my law ; but they are counted as a strange thing . 13As for the sacrifices of mine offerings , they sacrifice flesh and eat it ; but Jehovah accepteth them not : now will he remember their iniquity , and visit their sins ; they shall return to Egypt . 14For Israel hath forgotten his Maker , and builded palaces ; and Judah hath multiplied fortified cities : but I will send a fire upon his cities , and it shall devour the castles thereof .