[1] Put a trumpet to your lips! It’s as if a bird of prey has flown over the LORD’s house, because they have broken my covenant, and have not kept my Instruction. [2] Israel cries to me, “My God, we know you!” [3] Israel has turned away from the good; the enemy will pursue him. [4] They set up kings, but not through me; they chose princes, but without my knowledge. With silver and gold they crafted idols for their own destruction. [5] Your calf is rejected, Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they remain guilty? [6] The calf is from Israel, a person made it; it is not God. The calf of Samaria will be smashed. [7] Because they sow the wind, they will get the whirlwind. Standing grain, but no fresh growth; it will yield no meal; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it. [8] Israel is swallowed up; among the nations, they are now like a useless jar. [9] They have gone up to Assyria, a wild ass wandering alone; Ephraim has hired lovers. [10] Though they have bargained with the nations, I will now gather them up. They will soon be diminished due to the burden of kings and princes. [11] When Ephraim added more altars to take away sin, they became altars to him for sinning. [12] Even though I write out for him a large number of my instructions, they are regarded as strange. [13] Though they offer choice sacrifices, though they eat flesh, the LORD doesn’t accept them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins; they will return to Egypt. [14] Israel has forgotten his maker, and built palaces; and Judah has multiplied walled cities; but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it will devour his fortresses.
