1when I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, also the wickedness of Samaria. For they commit falsehood, and a thief comes in, and the bandits raid outside.
2They do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own deeds are all around them; they are before my face.
3They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the officials with their lies.
4They are all adulterers. They are burning like an oven whose fire the baker stops stirring, from the kneading of the dough until it is leavened.
5On the day of our king, the officials made themselves sick with the heat of wine. He joined his hand with mockers.
6For they have prepared their heart like an oven while they lie in wait. Their anger smolders all night; in the morning it burns as a flaming fire.
7They are all hot as an oven, and they devour their judges. All their kings have fallen. There is no one among them who calls to me.
8Ephraim mixes himself among the nations. Ephraim is a flat loaf not turned over.
9Strangers have devoured his strength, and he does not realize it. Indeed, gray hairs are here and there on him, and he does not realize it.
10The pride of Israel testifies to his face, yet they do not return to Yahweh their God, nor have they sought him for all this.
11Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria.
12When they go, I will spread my net on them. I will bring them down like the birds of heaven. I will chastise them, as their congregation has heard.
13Woe to them! For they have wandered from me. Destruction to them, for they have trespassed against me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against me.
14They do not cry out to me with their heart when they wail on their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine. They turn away from me.
15Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet they plot evil against me.
16They turn, but not to the Most High. They are like a faulty bow. Their officials will fall by the sword because of the insolence of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.
REV Bible
