1You were a healthy vine

covered with grapes.

But the more grapes you grew,

the more altars you built;

the better off you became,

the better shrines you set up

for pagan gods.

2You are deceitful and disloyal.

So you will pay

for your sins,

because the LORD will destroy

your altars and images.

3“We don't have a king,”

you will say.

“We don't fear the LORD.

And what good are kings?”

4Israel, you break treaties

and don't keep promises;

you turn justice

into poisonous weeds

where healthy plants should grow.10.4 you turn…grow: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

5All who live in Samaria tremble

with concern for the idols10.5 idols: The Hebrew text has “calves”, referring to the idols made in the shape of calves.

at sinful Bethel.10.5 sinful Bethel: See the note at 4.15.

The idol there was the pride

of the priests,

but it has been put to shame;

now everyone will cry.

6It will be taken to Assyria

and given to the great king.

Then Israel will be disgraced

for worshipping that idol.

7Like a twig in a stream,

the king of Samaria

will be swept away.

8The altars at sinful Bethel10.8: Lk 23.30; Rev 6.16.

will be destroyed

for causing Israel to sin;

they will be overgrown

with thorns and thistles.

Then everyone will beg

the mountains and hills

to cover and protect them.

The LORD promises to punish Israel

9Israel, you have never10.9: Jg 19.1-30.

stopped sinning10.9 never stopped sinning: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

since that time at Gibeah.10.9 Gibeah: See the note at 9.9.

That's why you

will be attacked at Gibeah.10.9 That's why…Gibeah: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

10Your sins have doubled,

and you are rebellious.

Now I have decided

to send nations to attack

and put you in chains.

11Once you were obedient

like a calf

that loved to thresh grain.

But I will put a harness

on your powerful neck;

you and Judah must plough

and cultivate the ground.

12Plough your fields,10.12: Jr 4.3.

scatter seeds of justice,

and harvest faithfulness.

Worship me, the LORD,

and I will send my saving power

down like rain.

13You have planted evil,

harvested injustice, and eaten

the fruit of your lies.

You trusted your own strength

and your powerful forces.

14So war will break out,

and your fortresses

will be destroyed.

Your enemies will do to you

what Shalman10.14 Shalman: Perhaps a Moabite king, also known as Salamanu. did to the people

of Beth-Arbel—

mothers and their children

will be beaten to death

against rocks.

15Bethel, this will be your fate

because of your evil.

Israel, at dawn your king

will be killed.