| 1 | 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. |
| 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 the LORD; 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 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. |
| 6 | It 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. |
| 8 | The 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. |
| 9 | O 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. |
| 11 | And 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. |
| 12 | Sow 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. |
| 13 | Ye 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. |
| 14 | Therefore 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. |
| 15 | So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.
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Public Domain