3 Surely now they will say: “We have no king, for we have not feared Adonai. The king—what can he do for us?”
4 They spoke words— empty oaths to make a covenant. But judgment springs up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
5 The inhabitants of Samaria will quarrel over the calves of Beth-aven. Indeed its people will mourn over it, but its priests will tremble over it. For its glory will surely depart from it.
6 It also will be carried to Assyria as tribute to a warring king. Ephraim will receive shame and Israel will be put to shame by its own counsel.
7 Samaria is being cut off. Her king is like a splinter on the surface of the water.
8 The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel will be destroyed. Thorns and thistles will come up on their altars. And they will say to the mountains: “Cover us!” And to the hills: “Fall on us!”
9 “From the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, O Israel. There they took their stand. Will not war over sons of iniquity overtake them in Gibeah?