1When I would heal Israel , then is the iniquity of Ephraim uncovered , and the wickedness of Samaria ; for they commit falsehood , and the thief entereth in , and the troop of robbers ravageth without . 2And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness : now have their own doings beset them about ; they are before my face . 3They make the king glad with their wickedness , and the princes with their lies . 4They are all adulterers ; they are as an oven heated by the baker; he ceaseth to stir the fire , from the kneading of the dough , until it be leavened . 5On the day of our king the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine ; he stretched out his hand with scoffers. 6For they have made ready their heart like an oven , while they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night ; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. 7They are all hot as an oven , and devour their judges ; all their kings are fallen : there is none among them that calleth unto me .
The Call to Repentance
8Ephraim, he mixeth himself among the peoples ; Ephraim is a cake not turned . 9Strangers have devoured his strength , and he knoweth it not : yea , gray hairs are here and there upon him , and he knoweth it not . 10And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face : yet they have not returned unto Jehovah their God , nor sought him , for all this . 11And Ephraim is like a silly dove , without understanding : they call unto Egypt , they go to Assyria. 12When they shall go , I will spread my net upon them ; I will bring them down as the birds of the heavens ; I will chastise them , as their congregation hath heard .
The Consequences of Rebellion
13Woe unto them ! for they have wandered from me ; destruction unto them ! for they have trespassed against me : though I would redeem them , yet they have spoken lies against me . 14And they have not cried unto me with their heart , but they howl upon their beds : they assemble themselves for grain and new wine ; they rebel against me . 15Though I have taught and strengthened their arms , yet do they devise mischief against me . 16They return , but not to him that is on high ; they are like a deceitful bow ; their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue : this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt .