For the sons of Israel will live for many days without a king or leader, without sacrifice or memorial stone, and without ephod or household idols.

My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them; For a spirit of infidelity has led them astray, And they have been unfaithful, departing from their God.

Ephraim is allied with idols; Leave him alone.

They have set up kings, but not by Me; They have appointed officials, but I did not know it. With their silver and gold they have made idols for themselves, So that they will be eliminated.

The inhabitants of Samaria will fear For the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn for it, And its idolatrous priests will cry out over it, Over its glory, since it has left it.

The more they called them, The more they went away from them; They kept sacrificing to the Baals And burning incense to idols.

Ephraim’s Idolatry

When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling. He exalted himself in Israel, But through Baal he incurred guilt and died.

And now they sin more and more, And make for themselves cast metal images, Idols skillfully made from their silver, All of them the work of craftsmen. They say of them, “Let the people who sacrifice kiss the calves!”

Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a luxuriant juniper; From Me comes your fruit.