1 W hen I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they practise falsehood; and the thief entereth in, the troop of robbers assaileth without.

2 A nd they say not in their hearts I remember all their wickedness: now do their own doings encompass them; they are before my face.

3 T hey make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.

4 T hey all practise adultery, as an oven heated by the baker: he ceaseth from stirring after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.

5 I n the day of our king, the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine: he stretched out his hand to scorners.

6 F or they have applied their heart like an oven to their lying in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth like a flaming fire.

7 T hey are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.

8 E phraim, he mixeth himself with the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

9 S trangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth not; yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, and he knoweth not.

10 A nd the pride of Israel testifieth to his face; and they do not return to Jehovah their God, nor seek him for all this.

11 A nd Ephraim is become like a silly dove without understanding: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

12 W hen they go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowl of the heavens; I will chastise them, according as their assembly hath heard.

13 W oe unto them! for they have wandered from me; destruction unto them! for they have transgressed against me. And I would redeem them; but they speak lies against me.

14 A nd they cried not unto me in their heart, when they howled upon their beds; they assemble themselves for corn and new wine; they have turned aside from me.

15 I have indeed trained, I have strengthened their arms, but they imagine mischief against me.

16 T hey return, not to the 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.