1 Yisrael 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.
2 Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty. He shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
3 For now they shall say, “We have no king, because we feared not יהוה; what then should a king do to us?”
4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant; thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
5 The inhabitants of Samaria (Shomeron) shall fear because of the calves of Beit Aven; for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests (kohanim) thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
6 It shall be also carried unto Assyria (Ashshur) for a present to king Yarev; Efrayim shall receive shame, and Yisrael shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
7 As for Samaria (Shomeron), her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.
8 The high places also of Aven, the sin of Yisrael, 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!”
9 “O Yisrael, you have 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.
11 And Efrayim is as a heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Efrayim to ride; Judah (Yehudah) shall plow, and Jacob (Yaaqov) shall break his clods.”
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek יהוה, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.
13 You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped iniquity; you have eaten the fruit of lies; because you didst trust in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men.
14 Therefore shall a tumult arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beit-Arvel in the day of battle; the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
15 So shall Bethel (Beit-El) do unto you because of your great wickedness. In a morning shall the king of Yisrael utterly be cut off!