1:4 The mountains will disintegrate 1 beneath him,
and the valleys will be split in two. 2
The mountains will melt 3 like wax in a fire,
the rocks will slide down like water cascading down a steep slope. 4
1:5 All this is because of Jacob’s rebellion
and 5 the sins of the nation 6 of Israel.
How has Jacob rebelled, you ask? 7
Samaria epitomizes their rebellion! 8
Where are Judah’s pagan worship centers, you ask? 9
They are right in Jerusalem! 10
1:6 “I will turn Samaria 11 into a heap of ruins in an open field –
vineyards will be planted there! 12
I will tumble 13 the rubble of her stone walls 14 down into the valley,
and tear down her fortifications to their foundations. 15
1:7 All her carved idols will be smashed to pieces;
all her metal cult statues will be destroyed by fire. 16
I will make a waste heap 17 of all her images.
Since 18 she gathered the metal 19 as a prostitute collects her wages,
the idols will become a prostitute’s wages again.” 20
1:8 For this reason I 21 will mourn and wail;
I will walk around barefoot 22 and without my outer garments. 23
I will howl 24 like a wild dog, 25
and screech 26 like an owl. 27
1:9 For Samaria’s 28 disease 29 is incurable.
It has infected 30 Judah;
it has spread to 31 the leadership 32 of my people
and has even contaminated Jerusalem! 33