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.
02 Their heart is divided; now shall they be
found faulty: he shall break down their altars,
he shall spoil their images.
03 For now they shall say, We have no king,
because we feared not the Lord; what then should
a king do to us?
04 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in
making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as
hemlock in the furrows of the field.
05 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.
06 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.
07 As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the
foam upon the water.
08 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.
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09 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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