Chapter 7
1 When I would heal Israel , then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered , also the wickedness of Samaria ; for they commit falsehood , and the thief enters in , and the gang of robbers ravages outside .
2 They don’t consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness . Now their own deeds have engulfed 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 . They are burning like an oven that the baker stops stirring, from the kneading of the dough , until it is leavened .
5 On the day of our king , the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine . He joined his hand with mockers.
6 For 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.
7 They are all hot as an oven , and devour their judges . All their kings have fallen . There is no one among them who calls to me .
8 Ephraim mixes himself among the nations . Ephraim is a pancake not turned over .
9 Strangers have devoured his strength , and he doesn’t realize it . Indeed , gray hairs are here and there on him , and he doesn’t realize it .
10 The pride of Israel testifies to his face ; yet they haven’t returned to Yahweh their God , nor sought him , for all this .
11 "Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove , without understanding . They call to Egypt . They go to Assyria.
12 When they go , I will spread my net on them . I will bring them down like 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 haven’t cried to me with their heart , but they howl on their beds . They assemble themselves for grain and new wine . They turn away from me .
15 Though I have taught and strengthened their arms , yet they plot evil against me .
16 They return , but not to the Most High . They are like a faulty bow . Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue . This will be their derision in the land of Egypt .