9“Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, O Israel,

and there you have remained.^d

Did not war overtake

the evildoers in Gibeah?

10When I please, I will punish them;

nations will be gathered against them

to put them in bonds for their double sin.

11Ephraim is a trained heifer

that loves to thresh;

so I will put a yoke

on her fair neck.

I will drive Ephraim,

Judah must plow,

and Jacob must break up the ground.

12Sow for yourselves righteousness,

reap the fruit of unfailing love,

and break up your unplowed ground;

for it is time to seek the Lord,

until he comes

and showers righteousness on you.

13But you have planted wickedness,

you have reaped evil,

you have eaten the fruit of deception.

Because you have depended on your own strength

and on your many warriors,

14the roar of battle will rise against your people,

so that all your fortresses will be devastated—

as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle,

when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children.

15Thus will it happen to you, O Bethel,

because your wickedness is great.

When that day dawns,

the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.