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Retribution for Israel’s Sin

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

⁹ Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity^(a)?¹⁰ I will chasten them when I please; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bondage for their double transgression.¹¹ Ephraim is a well-trained heifer that loves to thresh; but I will place a yoke on her fair neck. I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow, and Jacob will break the hard ground.¹² Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.¹³ You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men,¹⁴ the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.¹⁵ Thus it will be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great wickedness. When the day dawns, the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.