Ephraim’s Iniquity

1When I vndertoke to make Israel whole, then the vngraciousnesse of Ephraim, and the wickednes of Samaria came to light, for thei go about with lyes, therfore the theefe robbeth within, and the spoyler destroyeth without.

2They consider not in their heartes that I remember al their wickednesse: Nowe their owne inuentions haue beset them, whiche I see well inough.

3They make the kyng glad with their wickednesse, and the princes with their lyes.

4All these burne in adulterie, as it were an ouen that the baker heateth when he hath left kneading, tyll the dowe be leauened.

5This is the day of our kyng, the princes haue made hym sicke with bottels of wine, he hath stretched out his hande to scorners.

6For whyles they lye in wayte, they haue made redye their heart lyke an ouen, their baker sleepeth all night, in the morning it burneth as a flambe of fire.

7They are altogether as hotte as an ouen, and haue deuoured their owne iudges, all their kinges are fallen, yet is there none of them that calleth vpon me.

8Ephraim hath mixt him selfe among heathen people, Ephraim is become like a cake that no man turneth.

9Straungers haue deuoured his strength, and he regardeth it not: he waxeth full of gray heeres, yet wyll he not knowe it.

10And the pryde of Israel testifieth to his face, yet wyll they not turne to the Lorde their God, nor seeke hym for all this.

11Ephraim is like a doue that is begyled and hath no heart: nowe call they vpon the Egyptians, now go they to the Assyrians.

12But whyle they be goyng here and there I shal spreade my net ouer them, and drawe them downe as the foules of the ayre: and according as they haue ben warned, so wyll I punishe them.

13Wo be vnto them, for they haue forsaken me, they must be destroyed, for they haue set me at naught: I am he that hath redeemed them, yet haue they spoken lyes agaynst me.

14They call not vpon me with their heartes, but lye howlyng vpon their beddes: they wyll assemble them selues for corne and wine, but rebel against me.

15I haue bounde vp and strengthened their arme: yet do they imagine mischiefe agaynst me.

16They turne them selues, but not to the most hyest, and are become as a broken bowe, their princes shalbe slayne with the sworde for the malice of their tongues: this shalbe their derision in the lande of Egypt.