[1] When I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is revealed, and the wickedness of Samaria. For they deal deceitfully; the thief breaks in; the robbers raid outside, [2] but they did not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own deeds surround them; 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, like an oven heated by a baker, who ceases stirring the fire after kneading the dough until it is leavened. [5] On the day of our king the princes made him sick from the heat of wine. He stretched out his hand with scorners. [6] For they are kindled like an oven. Their heart burns within them; their anger smolders all night; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire. [7] They are all hot as an oven, and they devour their judges. All their kings have fallen, and none of them calls to Me. [8] Ephraim mixes himself with the people. Ephraim is a cake not turned. [9] Foreigners devour his strength, but he does not know it. Gray hairs are here and there upon him, but he does not know it. [10] The pride of Israel testifies against him, but they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek Him for all this. [11] Ephraim is like a dove, silly and without sense; they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. [12] Wherever they go, I will spread My net over them; I will bring them down like the birds of the sky; I will discipline them according to the report to their congregation. [13] Woe to them, for they have fled from Me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against Me! Though I would redeem them, yet they speak lies against Me. [14] They do not cry to Me with their heart when they howl on their beds. They gather together for grain and wine, they rebel against Me. [15] Though I trained and strengthened their arms, yet they devise mischief against Me. [16] They return, but not to the Most High. They are like a loose bow. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.
