1 The people of Israel are like vines that used to produce fruit.
2 They are hypocrites. Now they must take their punishment.
3 So they’ll say,
4 They say many things. They lie when they take oaths,
5 Those who live in Samaria fear the calf-shaped idol at Beth Aven.
6 The thing itself will be carried to Assyria
7 The king of Samaria will be carried away
8 The illegal worship sites of Aven will be destroyed.
9 Israel, you have sinned ever since the incident at Gibeah.
10 “I will punish them when I’m ready.
11 “Ephraim is like a trained calf that loves to thresh grain.
12 “Break new ground.
13 You have planted wickedness and harvested evil.
14 So your army will hear the noise of battle.
15 This is what will happen to you, Bethel,