1Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars.
2Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.
3Surely now they will say, “We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us?”
4They speak mere words; with false oaths they make covenants. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.
5The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn over it with its idolatrous priests—those who rejoiced in its glory—for it has been taken from them into exile.
6Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols.
7Samaria will be carried off with her king like a twig on the surface of the water.
8The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”