1 Israel is a luxuriant vine; he yields fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he made numerous altars. The more his land prospered, the more he improved his stone pillars.
2 Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. He himself will break down their altars; he will destroy their stone pillars.
3 For now they will say, “We have no king; indeed, we did not fear Yahweh, and what can a king do for us?”
4 They utter words of vain oaths when making covenants, and judgment blossoms like a poisonous plant on the furrows of the field.
5 The inhabitants of Samaria tremble for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, his people will mourn for it, and his idolatrous priests will wail over it— over its glory because it has departed from it.
6 It will also be brought to Assyria, as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will obtain disgrace and Israel will be ashamed from his advice.
7 Samaria will be destroyed; her king is like a chip on the surface of the water.