The inhabitantsof Samariawill fearFor the calfof Beth-aven.Indeed,its peoplewill mournfor it, And its idolatrouspriestswill cryout overit, Overits glory,sinceit has departedfrom it.
However,[as for] the sinsof Jeroboamthe sonof Nebat,whichhe made Israelsin,from these Jehudid not depart,[even] the goldencalvesthat [were] at Betheland that [were] at Dan.
They forsookallthe commandmentsof the LORDtheir Godand madefor themselves moltenimages,[even] twocalves,and madean Asherahand worshipedallthe hostof heavenand servedBaal.
He didawaywith the idolatrouspriestswhomthe kingsof Judahhad appointedto burnincensein the highplacesin the citiesof Judahand in the surroundingareaof Jerusalem,also those who burnedincenseto Baal,to the sunand to the moonand to the constellationsand to allthe hostof heaven.
He setup priestsof his own for the highplaces,for the satyrsand for the calveswhichhe had made.
"So nowyou intendto resistthe kingdomof the LORDthroughthe sonsof David,being a greatmultitudeand [having] with you the goldencalveswhichJeroboammadefor godsfor you.
They stoopedover,they have boweddowntogether;They couldnot rescuethe burden,But have themselvesgoneinto captivity.
And nowthey sinmoreand more,And makefor themselves moltenimages,Idolsskillfullymade from their silver,Allof them the workof craftsmen.They sayof them, "Let the menwho sacrificekissthe calves!"
Thoughyou, Israel,playthe harlot,Do not let Judahbecomeguilty;Also do not goto Gilgal,Or goup to Beth-avenAnd takethe oath:"As the LORDlives!"
Blowthe hornin Gibeah,The trumpetin Ramah.Soundan alarmat Beth-aven:"Behindyou, Benjamin!"
Do not rejoice,O Israel,with exultationlike the nations!For you have playedthe harlot,forsakingyour God.You have loved[harlots]' earningson everythreshingfloor.
As for Ephraim,their glorywill flyawaylike a bird--Nobirth,nopregnancyand noconception!
"For on the daythat I punishIsrael'stransgressions,I will also punishthe altarsof Bethel;The hornsof the altarwill be cutoffAnd they will fallto the ground.
"So I will stretchout My handagainstJudahAnd againstallthe inhabitantsof Jerusalem.And I will cutoffthe remnantof Baalfrom thisplace,[And] the namesof the idolatrouspriestsalongwith the priests.
"Not onlyis there dangerthat thistradeof oursfallinto disrepute,but alsothat the templeof the greatgoddessArtemisbe regardedas worthlessand that she whomallof Asiaand the worldworshipwill evenbe dethronedfrom her magnificence."
Now Joshuasentmenfrom Jerichoto Ai,whichis nearBeth-aven,eastof Bethel,and saidto them, "Goup and spyout the land."So the menwentup and spiedout Ai.
He said,"You have takenaway my godswhichI made,and the priest,and have goneaway, and whatdo I have besides?So howcan you sayto me, 'Whatis [the matter] with you?'"
