2 They cry out to me, ‘We acknowledge you as our God.’
3 However, they have rejected what is good.The enemy will persecute them.
4 “They chose their own kings, kings I didn’t approve.They chose their own princes, princes I didn’t know.They chose to make idols with their own silver and gold.Because of this, they will be destroyed.
5 Get rid of your calf-shaped idol, Samaria.My anger burns against these people.How long will they remain unclean?
6 Samaria’s calf-shaped idol was made in Israel.Skilled workers made it.It is not a god.It will be smashed to pieces.
7 “The people of Israel plant the wind, but they harvest a storm.A field of grain that doesn’t ripen will never produce any grain.Even if it did produce grain, foreigners would eat it all.
8 Israel will be swallowed up.It has already mixed in with the other nations.It has become worthless.