[1] When I would heal Israel, then is the iniquity of Ephraim uncovered,
and the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief
enters in, and the troop of robbers ravages outside. [2] They don`t
consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now have
their own doings beset them about; they are before my face. [3] They make
the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. [4]
They are all adulterers; they are as an oven heated by the baker; he ceases
to stir [the fire], from the kneading of the dough, until it be leavened.
[5] On the day of our king the princes made themselves sick with the heat
of wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers. [6] For they have made
ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait: their baker sleeps
all the night; in the morning it burns as a flaming fire. [7] They are all
hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen: there
is none among them who calls to me. [8] Ephraim, he mixes himself among the
peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned. [9] Strangers have devoured his
strength, and he doesn`t know [it]: yes, gray hairs are here and there on
him, and he doesn`t know [it]. [10] The pride of Israel does testify to his
face: yet they have not returned to Yahweh their God, nor sought him, for
all this. [11] Ephraim is like a silly dove, without understanding: they
call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. [12] When they shall go, I will spread
my net on them; I will bring them down as the birds of the sky; I will
chastise them, as their congregation has heard. [13] Woe to them! for they
have wandered from me; destruction to them! for they have trespassed
against me: though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against
me. [14] They have not cried to me with their heart, but they howl on their
beds: they assemble themselves for grain and new wine; they rebel against
me. [15] Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet do they
devise mischief against me. [16] They return, but not to [him who 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.