Israel is a luxuriant vine that produces fruit for itself, and the more his fruit, the more altars. Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy: break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD.
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 .