3. Israel has spurned the good;the enemy shall pursue him.
4. They made kings, but not through me.They set up princes, but I knew it not.With their silver and gold they made idolsfor their own destruction.
5. I have spurned your calf, O Samaria.My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence?
6. For it is from Israel;a craftsman made it;it is not God. The calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.
7. For they sow the wind,and they shall reap the whirlwind.The standing grain has no heads;it shall yield no flour;if it were to yield, strangers would devour it.
8. Israel is swallowed up;already they are among the nationsas a useless vessel.
9. For they have gone up to Assyria, a wild donkey wandering alone;Ephraim has hired lovers.
10. Though they hire allies among the nations,I will soon gather them up.And the king and princes shall soon writhebecause of the tribute.
11. Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning,they have become to him altars for sinning.
12. Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands,they would be regarded as a strange thing.