ISRAEL’S DEFEAT BECAUSE OF SIN

9 Israel, you have sinned

since the days of Gibeah;at

they have taken their stand there.

Will not war against the unjust

overtake them in Gibeah?

10 I will disciplineau them at my discretion;av

nations will be gathered against them

to put them in bondageA

for their double iniquity.a

11 Ephraim is a well-trained calfb

that loves to thresh,

but I will place a yoke onB her fine neck.c

I will harness Ephraim;d

Judah will plow;

Jacob will do the final plowing.

12 Sow righteousness for yourselvese

and reap faithful love;

break up your unplowed ground.f

It is time to seek the Lordg

until he comesh and sends righteousness

on you like the rain.i

13 You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice;j

you have eaten the fruit of lies.k

Because you have trusted in your own wayC

and in your large number of soldiers,l

14 the roar of battle will rise against your people,

and all your fortifications will be demolishedm

in a day of war,

like Shalman’s destruction of Beth-arbel.

Mothers will be dashed to pieces

along with their children.n

15 So it will be done to you, Bethel,o

because of your extreme evil.

At dawn the king of Israel will be totally destroyed.