1“When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was exposed, and the wickedness of Samaria; for they practice deceit; the thief breaks in, and bands of bandits rob in the streets. 2And they do not stop to consider in their hearts that I take note of and remember all their wickedness; their own evil doings have engulfed them; their sins are ever before My face.

3“They delight the king with their wickedness, and the leaders with their lies. 4They are all adulterers, always aflame with lust, like an oven heated by the baker, who does not need to stoke it after he has kneaded the dough, until it is leavened. 5On the day of the festival of the king, the princes get drunk with wine; and he joins hands with scoffers. 6For they have prepared their heart like an oven; they smolder all night; in the morning they burst into a flaming fire. 7They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings fall; none of them call upon Me.

8“Ephraim has mingled among the godless pagan nations; making themselves as useless as a half-baked cake. 9Foreigners have sapped his strength, and he does not realize it; his head is sprinkled with gray hairs; but he does not notice 10The arrogance of Israel testifies against him; but they do not return to the LORD, their God, nor seek Him, despite all this. 11Ephraim is like a silly dove easily deceived; now calling to Egypt, then going to Assyria. 12When they fly, I will spread My net upon them; I will bring them down like a bird of the skies; I will punish them, just as they have been warned.

13“Woe unto them! For they have strayed from Me. Destruction awaits them, because they have transgressed against Me. Though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against Me. 14And they have not cried out to Me with their heart, but have wailed upon their beds; they appeal to their false gods for grain and wine, and they rebel against Me. 15Though I have healed and strengthened their arms, yet they imagine mischief against Me. 16They turn to everything - except to Me, the Most High. They are like a faulty bow; their leaders shall fall by the sword for their insolent and rash words; this shall cause those in the land of Egypt to laugh at them.