1 Israel ^aempties his vine;
He brings forth fruit for himself.
According to the multitude of his fruit
^bHe has increased the altars;
According to the bounty of his land
They have embellished his sacred pillars. ‡

3 For now they say,
“We have no king,
Because we did not fear the Lord.
And as for a king, what would he do for us?”

4 They have spoken words,
Swearing falsely in making a covenant.
Thus judgment springs up ^alike hemlock in the furrows of the field. ‡