 1 Israel is an luxuriant vine. He brings out fruit to himself. According to the multitude of his fruit, he has increased the altars. They have made beautiful images according to the goodness of his land. 2 Their heart is divided. Now they will be guilty. He will break down their altars, and He will spoil their images. 3 For now they will say, We have no king because we did not fear the Lord. What then should a king do to us? 4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant. So judgment springs up like hemlock in the furrows of the field. 5 Because of the calves of Bethaven, the people of Samaria will dread. For its people will mourn over it, and its priest rejoiced on it for its glory, because it has departed from it. 6 It will also be carried to Assyria for a present to king Jareb. Ephraim will receive shame, and Israel will be ashamed of his own counsel. 7 As for Samaria, her king is cut off as a bough on the water. 8 Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. The thorn and the thistle will come up on their altars. They will say to the mountains, Cover us, and to the hills, Fall on us. 9 O Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah. There they stood. The battle against the children of iniquity in Gibeah did not overtake them. 10 When I desire, I will bind them. And the people will be gathered against them, when they bind themselves to their two perversities. 11 Ephraim is like a trained heifer, trying to tread out. But I passed over on the goodness of her neck. I will make Ephraim to ride. judah will plow, and Jacob will break his clods. 12 Sow in righteousness. Reap in mercy. Break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes and rains righteousness on you. 13 You have plowed wickedness. You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men. 14 An uproar will arise among your people, and all your fortresses will be spoiled, as the ruin of Betharbel by Shalman in the day of battle. The mother was dashed in pieces on her sons. 15 So He does to you, Bethel, because of your great evil. In a morning the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.
|