8
1 Set the cornet to thy mouth. [Let the enemy come] like the eagle against the house of the Lord: because they have transgressed my covenant, and against my law have they trespassed. 2 To me will they then cry, My God, we, Israel, know thee. 3 [But] Israel did reject the good; so let the enemy pursue him. 4 They set up kings, but not my advice: they chose princes and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made themselves idols so that they will be cut off. 5 Thy calf, O Samaria, hath caused thy rejection; my anger is kindled against them: how long will it be that they cannot cleanse themselves? 6 For whom Israel did also that [idol] spring; an artisan made it, and no God is it: so then shall it become broken in splinters— that calf of Samaria. 7 For the wind do they sow, and the whirlwind shall they reap: [their seed] bringeth no standing corn; the plant yieldeth no meal; but should it yield it, strangers would swallow it up. 8 Swallowed up is Israel: now are they among the nations as a vessel without any value. 9 For they are needs gone up to Assyria, they who like a wild ass should dwell alone: Ephraim spendeth lovers' gifts. 10 But even though they should spend gifts among the nations, now will I gather them: and they shall be humbled a little through the burden of the king of princes. 11 Because Ephraim hath multiplied altars to sin, the altars have been unto him the means of sinning. 12 I ever wrote down for him the great things of my law; but as a strange thing are they accounted. 13 My sacrificial offerings they slay as common flesh that they may eat it; the Lord accepteth them not in favor: now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins; they shall indeed return to Egypt. 14 For Israel forgot his Maker, and built palaces; and Judah multiplied fortified cities; but I will send a fire among his cities, and it shall devour their fine edifices.