2 Their heart is divided;Now they are held guilty.He will break down their altars;He will ruin their sacred pillars.
3 For now they say,“We have no king,Because we did not fear the Lord.And as for a king, what would he do for us?”
4 They have spoken words,Swearing falsely in making a covenant.Thus judgment springs up like hemlock in the furrows of the field.
5 The inhabitants of Samaria fearBecause of the calf of Beth Aven.For its people mourn for it,And its priests shriek for it—Because its glory has departed from it.
6 The idol also shall be carried to AssyriaAs a present for King Jareb.Ephraim shall receive shame,And Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
7 As for Samaria, her king is cut offLike a twig on the water.
8 Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel,Shall be destroyed.The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars;They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!”And to the hills, “Fall on us!”