[1] and to heal its wounds. But then I see the crimes in Israel and Samaria. Everyone is deceitful; robbers roam the streets. [2] No one realizes that I have seen their sins surround them like a flood. [3] The king and his officials take great pleasure in their sin and deceit. [4] Everyone burns with desire- they are like coals in an oven, ready to burst into flames. [5] On the day their king was crowned, his officials got him drunk, and he joined in their foolishness. [6] Their anger is a fire that smolders all night, then flares up at dawn. [7] They are flames destroying their leaders. And their kings are powerless; none of them trust me. [8] The people of Israel have mixed with foreigners; they are a thin piece of bread scorched on one side. [9] They don't seem to realize how weak and feeble they are; their hair has turned gray, while foreigners rule. [10] I am the LORD, their God, but in all of their troubles their pride keeps them from returning to me. [11] The LORD said: Israel is a senseless bird, fluttering back and forth between Egypt and Assyria. [12] But I will catch them in a net as hunters trap birds; I threatened to punish them, and indeed I will. [13] Trouble and destruction will be their reward for rejecting me. I would have rescued them, but they told me lies. [14] They don't really pray to me; they just howl in their beds. They have rejected me for Baal and slashed themselves, in the hope that Baal will bless their crops. [15] I taught them what they know, and I made them strong. Now they plot against me [16] and refuse to obey. They are more useless than a crooked arrow. Their leaders will die in war for saying foolish things. Egyptians will laugh at them.
