Israel’s Sin and Captivity

10 Israel aempties his vine;

He brings forth fruit for himself.

According to the multitude of his fruit

bHe has increased the altars;

According to the bounty of his land

They have embellished his sacred pillars.

2 Their heart is cdivided; 1

Now they are held guilty.

He will break down their altars;

He will ruin their sacred pillars.

3 For now they say,

“We have no king,

Because we did not fear the Lord.

And as for a king, what would he do for us?”

4 They have spoken words,

Swearing falsely in making a covenant.

Thus judgment springs up dlike hemlock in the furrows of the field.

5 The inhabitants of Samaria fear

Because of the ecalf 2of Beth Aven.

For its people mourn for it,

And 3its priests shriek for it—

Because its fglory has departed from it.

6 The idol also shall be carried to Assyria

As a present for King gJareb.

Ephraim shall receive shame,

And Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

7 As for Samaria, her king is cut off

Like a twig on the water.

8 Also the hhigh places of 4Aven, ithe sin of Israel,

Shall be destroyed.

The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars;

jThey shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!”

And to the hills, “Fall on us!”