^4 [c]They made kings, but not by my authority;
    they established princes, but without my knowledge.
With their silver and gold
    they made idols for themselves,
    to their own destruction.
⁵ He has rejected your calf,^[d] Samaria!
    My wrath is kindled against them;
How long will they be incapable of innocence
    in Israel?
⁶ An artisan made it,
    it is no god at all.
The calf of Samaria
    will be dashed to pieces.

⁷ When they sow the wind,
    they will reap the whirlwind;
The stalk of grain that forms no head
    can yield no flour;
Even if it could,
    strangers would swallow it.
⁸ Israel is swallowed up;
    now they are among the nations,
    like a useless vessel.
⁹ For they went up to Assyria—^[e]
    a wild ass off on its own—
    Ephraim bargained for lovers.
¹⁰ Even though they bargain with the nations,
    I will now gather them^[f] together;
They will soon succumb
    under the burden of king and princes.

^11 [g]When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin,
    they became altars for sinning.
¹² Though I write for him my many instructions,
    they are considered like a stranger’s.
¹³ They love sacrifice,
    they sacrifice meat and eat it,
    but the Lord is not pleased with them.
Now he will remember their guilt
    and punish their sins;
    they shall return to Egypt.^[h]
14 Israel has forgotten his maker
    and has built palaces.
Judah, too, has fortified many cities,
    but I will send fire upon his cities,
    to devour their strongholds.