1
Yisra’el is a luxuriant vine that bears fruit for himself. According to the abundance of his fruit he multiplied altars. According to the goodness of his land they made good standing stones.
2
Their heart is divided. Now they shall bear their guilt. He shall break down their altars; He shall destroy their standing stones.
3
For now they shall say: “We have no king, because we did not fear Yahuah. And the king— what can he do for us?”
4
They speak words, swearing false oaths, cutting covenants. Therefore Judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.
5
The inhabitants of Shomron shall fear because of the calf of Beit-Aven. For its people shall mourn over it, and its idolatrous priests shall tremble over it— over its glory, because it has departed from it.
6
It also shall be carried to Ashshur as tribute to the great king. Efrayim shall receive shame, and Yisra’el shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
7
Shomron is cut off. Her king is like foam upon the face of the waters.
8
And the high places of Aven, the sin of Yisra’el, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow upon their altars. And they shall say to the mountains: “Cover us,” and to the hills: “Fall upon us.”
9
From the days of Givah you have sinned, Yisra’el. There they stood. The battle against the sons of crookedness did not overtake them in Givah.
10
When I desire, I will discipline them, and peoples shall be gathered against them when they are bound for their two crookednesses.
11
Efrayim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh, but I passed over her fair neck. I will make Efrayim draw. Yehudah shall plow; Yaaqov shall break his clods.
12
Sow for yourselves according to Righteousness. Reap according to Covenant-Faithfulness. Break up for yourselves fallow ground. For it is time to seek Yahuah, until He comes and rains Righteousness upon you.
13
You have plowed wickedness. You have reaped crookedness. You have eaten the fruit of falsehood. Because you trusted in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men.
14
Therefore an uproar shall arise among your people, and all your fortified cities shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beit-Arbel in the day of battle, when mother was dashed to pieces with children.
15
Thus shall Beit-El do to you because of the evil of your evil. At dawn, the king of Yisra’el shall be completely cut off.