1 The Vine and the Calf Israel is a lush Or ravaged vine; it yields fruit for itself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better they made the sacred pillars.2 Their hearts are devious; Or divided now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.3 In fact, they are now saying, “We have no king! For we do not fear the Lord . What can a king do for us? ”4 They speak mere words, taking false oaths while making covenants. So lawsuits break out like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.5 The residents of Samaria will have anxiety over the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its idolatrous priests rejoiced over it; the people will mourn over it, over its glory. It will certainly go into exile.6 The calf itself will be taken to Assyria as an offering to the great king. Or to King Yareb Ephraim will experience shame; Israel will be ashamed of its counsel.7 Samaria’s king will disappear Or will be cut off like foam Or a stick on the surface of the water.8 The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. They will say to the mountains, “Cover us! ” and to the hills, “Fall on us! ”9 Israel’s Defeat because of Sin Israel, you have sinned since the days of Gibeah; they have taken their stand there. Will not war against the unjust overtake them in Gibeah?10 I will discipline them at my discretion; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bondage LXX, Syr, Vg read against them when they are disciplined for their double iniquity.11 Ephraim is a well-trained calf that loves to thresh, but I will place a yoke on Lit will pass over her fine neck. I will harness Ephraim; Judah will plow; Jacob will do the final plowing.12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the Lord until he comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.13 You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way LXX reads your chariots and in your large number of soldiers,14 the roar of battle will rise against your people, and all your fortifications will be demolished in a day of war, like Shalman’s destruction of Beth-arbel. Mothers will be dashed to pieces along with their children.15 So it will be done to you, Bethel, because of your extreme evil. At dawn the king of Israel will be totally destroyed.