Israel {is} an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. {an...: or, a vine emptying the fruit which it giveth} {images: Heb. statues, or, standing images}
2Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images. {Their heart...: or, He hath divided their heart} {break...: Heb. behead} {images: Heb. statues, or, standing images}
3For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?
4They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
5The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof {that} rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it. {the priests...: or, Chemarim}
6It shall be also carried unto Assyria {for} a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
7{As for} Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water. {the water: Heb. the face of 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 in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.
10{It is} in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows. {when...: or, when I shall bind them for their two transgressions, or, in their two habitations}
11And Ephraim {is as} an heifer {that is} taught, {and} loveth to tread out {the corn}; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, {and} Jacob shall break his clods. {her...: Heb. the beauty of her neck}
12Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for {it is} time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
13Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because 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 spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon {her} children.
15So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. {your...: Heb. the evil of your evil}