When I would heal Israel, then is the iniquity of Ephraim uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief entereth in, and the troop of robbers 1 ravageth without. 1) Or maketh a raid
2And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now have their own doings beset them about; they are before my face.
3They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
4They are all adulterers; they are as an oven heated by the baker; he ceaseth to stir the fire , from the kneading of the dough, until it be leavened.
5On the day of our king the princes made 1 themselves sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers. 1) Or him
6For they have 1 made ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. 1) Heb brought near
7They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.
8Ephraim, he mixeth himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
9Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are 1 here and there upon him, and he knoweth it not. 1) Heb sprinkled
10And the 1 pride of Israel doth testify to his face: yet they have not returned unto Jehovah their God, nor sought him, for all this. 1) Or excellency
11And Ephraim is like a silly dove, without 1 understanding: they call unto Egypt, they go to Assyria. 1) Heb heart
12When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the birds of the heavens; I will chastise them, 1 as their congregation hath heard. 1) Or when the report cometh to their congregation
13Woe unto them! for they have wandered from me; destruction unto them! for they have trespassed against me: though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
14And they have not cried unto me with their heart, but they howl upon their beds: they assemble themselves for grain and new wine; they rebel against me.
15Though I have 1 taught and strengthened their arms, yet do they devise mischief against me. 1) Or chastened them
16They return, but not to him that is on high; they are like a deceitful bow; their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.