1 Israel is like a large vinethat produced plenty of fruit.As the people became richer,they built more altars for idols.As their land became better,they put up better stone pillars to honor gods.
2 Their heart was false,and now they must pay for their guilt.The Lord will break down their altars;he will destroy their holy stone pillars.
3 Then they will say, “We have no king,because we didn’t honor the Lord.As for the king,he couldn’t do anything for us.”
4 They make many false promisesand agreements which they don’t keep.So people sue each other in court;they are like poisonous weeds growing in a plowed field.
5 The people from Israel are worried aboutthe calf-shaped idol at Beth Aven.The people will cry about it,and the priests will cry about it.They used to shout for joy about its glory,
6 but it will be carried off to Assyriaas a gift to the great king.Israel will be disgraced,and the people will be ashamed for not obeying.
7 Israel will be destroyed;its king will be like a chip of wood floating on the water.