1 GLT Israel is a luxuriant vine that produces his fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built. As his land prospered, he improved his pillars. BSB BSB: Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars.
2 GLT Their heart is deceitful; now they must bear their guilt. He will break down their altars; he will destroy their pillars. BSB BSB: Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.
3 GLT For now they will say,“We have no king, for we do not fear Yahweh, and a king— what could he do for us?” BSB BSB: Surely now they will say, “We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us?”
4 GLT They speak mere words, they make covenants with worthless oaths. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field. BSB BSB: They speak mere words; with false oaths they make covenants. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.
5 GLT The inhabitants of Samaria will be afraid for the calf of Beth Aven. Indeed, its people will mourn over it, as will its idolatrous priests who had rejoiced over it and over its splendor, for it has departed from them. BSB BSB: The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn over it with its idolatrous priests—those who rejoiced in its glory—for it has been taken from them into exile.
6 GLT The thing itself will be carried to Assyria as tribute for the great king. Ephraim will receive shame, and Israel will be ashamed of its idol. BSB BSB: Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols.
7 GLT The king of Samaria will be cut off, like a twig on the face of the waters. BSB BSB: Samaria will be carried off with her king like a twig on the surface of the water.
8 GLT The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. Thorns and thistles will grow up on their altars. Then they will say to the mountains,“Cover us!” and to the hills,“Fall on us!” BSB BSB: The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
9 GLT “O Israel, you have sinned since the days of Gibeah; there they have remained. Will not the war against the sons of injustice overtake them in Gibeah? BSB BSB: Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity?
10 GLT When it is my desire, I will discipline them; and the nations will be gathered against them when they are bound for their double iniquity. BSB BSB: I will chasten them when I please; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bondage for their double transgression.
11 GLT Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh, and I spared her fair neck; but I will harness Ephraim; Judah will plow; Jacob will harrow for himself. BSB BSB: Ephraim is a well-trained heifer that loves to thresh; but I will place a yoke on her fair neck. I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow, and Jacob will break the hard ground.
12 GLT Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in accordance with steadfast love. Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek Yahweh, until he comes and rains righteousness on you. BSB BSB: Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.
13 GLT You have plowed wickedness; you reaped injustice. You have eaten the fruit of lies because you trusted in your way, in your many warriors. BSB BSB: You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men,
14 GLT Therefore a tumult will rise among your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces with their children. BSB BSB: the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.
15 GLT So it will be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great wickedness. At dawn the king of Israel will be completely cut off.” BSB BSB: Thus it will be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great wickedness. When the day dawns, the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.