Israel is an emptyvine, he bringeth forthfruitunto himself: according to the multitudeof his fruithe hath increasedthe altars; according to the goodnessof his landthey have made goodlyimages. Their heartis divided; nowshall they be found faulty: heshall break downtheir altars, he shall spoiltheir images. Fornowthey shall say, We have noking, becausewe fearednotthe LORD; whatthen should a kingdoto us? They have spokenwords, swearingfalselyin makinga covenant: thus judgmentspringeth upas hemlockinthe furrowsof the field. The inhabitantsof Samariashall fearbecause of the calvesof Beth-aven: forthe peoplethereof shall mournoverit, and the prieststhereof that rejoicedonit, forthe glorythereof, becauseit is departedfromit. It shall be alsocarriedunto Assyria for a presentto kingJareb: Ephraimshall receiveshame, and Israelshall be ashamedof his own counsel. As for Samaria, her kingis cut offas the foamuponthe water. The high placesalso of Aven, the sinof Israel, shall be destroyed: the thornand the thistleshall come upontheir altars; and they shall sayto the mountains, Coverus; and to the hills, Fallonus. O Israel, thou hast sinnedfrom the daysof Gibeah: therethey stood: the battlein Gibeahagainstthe childrenof iniquitydid notovertakethem. It is in my desirethat I should chastisethem; and the peopleshall be gatheredagainstthem, when they shall bindthemselves in their twofurrows. And Ephraim is as a heifer that is taught, and lovethto tread out the corn ; but Ipassed overuponher fairneck: I will make Ephraimto ride; Judahshall plow, and Jacobshall break his clods. Sowto yourselves in righteousness, reapinmercy; break upyour fallow ground: for it is timeto seekthe LORD, tillhe comeand rainrighteousnessupon you. Ye have plowedwickedness, ye have reapediniquity; ye have eatenthe fruitof lies: becausethou didst trustin thy way, in the multitudeof thy mighty men. Therefore shall a tumultariseamong thy people, and allthy fortressesshall be spoiled, as ShalmanspoiledBeth-arbel in the dayof battle: the motherwas dashed in piecesupon her children. Soshall Betheldounto you becauseof your great wickedness: in a morningshall the kingof Israelutterly be cut off.