Verse 1

VERS. 1.

Israel is an empty vine, he brings forth fruit to himself: according to the multitude of his fruit, he has increased the altars: according to the goodness of his land, they have made goodly images.

Here Gualter makes the beginning of Hosea's seventh Sermon. The argument is like to the former, upbraiding and threatening. Hosea had to deal with tough and stout spirits, and therefore he still strikes with sharp rebukes and severe threats.