Retribution for Israel’s Sin

1Israel is a emptie vine, yet hath it brought foorth fruite vnto it selfe, and according to the multitude of the fruite thereof he hath increased the altars: according to the goodnesse of their lande they haue made faire images.

2Their heart is deuided: nowe shall they be founde faultie: he shall breake downe their altars: he shall destroy their images.

3For now they shal say, We haue no King because we feared not the Lord: and what should a King doe to vs?

4They haue spoken woordes, swearing falsly in making a couenant: thus iudgement groweth as wormewoode in the furrowes of the fielde.

5The inhabitants of Samaria shal feare because of the calfe of Beth-auen: for the people thereof shall mourne ouer it, and the Chemarims thereof, that reioyced on it for the glorie thereof, because it is departed from it.

6It shall bee also brought to Asshur, for a present vnto King Iareb: Ephraim shall receiue shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his owne counsell.

7Of Samaria, the King thereof is destroyed as the some vpon the water.

8The hie places also of Auen shall be destroied, euen the sinne of Israel: the thorne and the thistle shall growe vpon their altars, and they shal say to the mountaines, Couer vs, and to the hils, Fall vpon vs.

9O Israel, thou hast sinned from the daies of Gibeah: there they stoode: the battell in Gibeah against the children of iniquitie did not touch them.

10It is my desire that I should chastice them, and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall gather themselues in their two furrowes.

11And Ephraim is as an heifer vsed to delite in threshing: but I will passe by her faire necke: I will make Ephraim to ride: Iudah shall plowe, and Iaakob shall breake his cloddes.

12Sowe to your selues in righteousnes: reape after the measure of mercy: breake vp your fallowe grounde: for it is time to seeke the Lorde, till he come and raine righteousnesse vpon you.

13But you haue plowed wickednesse: ye haue reaped iniquitie: you haue eaten the fruite of lies: because thou didest trust in thine owne waies, and in the multitude of thy strong men,

14Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy munitions shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbell in the daie of battell: the mother with the children was dashed in pieces.

15So shall Beth-el doe vnto you, because of your malicious wickednes: in a morning shall the King of Israel be destroied.