A (7, 8) As for Samaria, HER KING IS CUT OFF as the foam upon the water. The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

B (9) O Israel, thou hast sinned from THE DAYS of Gibeah: there they stood: THE BATTLE in Gibeah against THE CHILDREN of iniquity did not overtake them.

C (10) It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and THE PEOPLE shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

D (11) And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah SHALL PLOW, and Jacob shall break his clods.

E (12) Sow to yourselves IN RIGHTEOUSNESS <06666>, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground:

F (12) for it is time to seek Yahweh,

E′ (12) till he come and rain RIGHTEOUSNESS <06664> upon you.

D′ (13) YE HAVE PLOWED wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

C′ (14) Therefore shall a tumult arise among THY PEOPLE,

B′ (14) and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel IN THE DAY OF BATTLE: the mother was dashed in pieces upon HER CHILDREN.

A′ (15) So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning SHALL THE KING of Israel utterly BE CUT OFF.