6 It will be carried to Assyriaas tribute for the great king.Ephraim will be disgraced;Israel will be ashamed of its foreign alliances.
7 Samaria’s king will be destroyed,swept away like a twig on the surface of the waters.
8 The high places of wickedness will be destroyed –it is the sin of Israel.Thorns and thistles will grow upand cover their altars.Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Cover us!’and to the hills, ‘Fall on us!’
9 ‘Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, Israel,and there you have remained.Will not war again overtakethe evildoers in Gibeah?
10 When I please, I will punish them;nations will be gathered against themto put them in bonds for their double sin.
11 Ephraim is a trained heiferthat loves to thresh;so I will put a yokeon her fair neck.I will drive Ephraim,Judah must plough,and Jacob must break up the ground.
12 Sow righteousness for yourselves,reap the fruit of unfailing love,and break up your unploughed ground;for it is time to seek the Lord,until he comesand showers his righteousness on you.