1 “ Whenever I would heal Israel, I see the sin of Ephraim and the wrong-doing of Samaria. They are false in their ways. The robber breaks into houses, and sinful men rob in the streets.

2 T hey do not think about how I remember all the sinful things they do. Their sins are all around them, and are always before Me.

3 T hey make the king glad with their wrong-doing, and the leaders with their lies.

4 N one of them are faithful. They are like a hot stove whose fire the bread-maker leaves alone from the time he makes the dough until the bread rises.

5 O n the special day of our king the leaders became drunk with wine. He joined hands with those who laughed at the truth.

6 T heir hearts are like a hot stove as they make their plans. Their anger smokes all night, and in the morning it burns like a hot fire.

7 A ll of them are hot like a stove, and they destroy their leaders. All their kings have fallen, and none of them calls to Me for help. Israel Cannot Depend on the Nations

8 “ Ephraim mixes with the nations. Ephraim is a cake not turned.

9 S trangers destroy his strength, yet he does not know it. White hairs come upon him, yet he does not know it.

10 I srael’s pride speaks against him, yet they do not return to the Lord their God. Even for all this, they do not look for Him.

11 E phraim is like a foolish dove that is not able to think. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria.

12 W hen they go, I will spread My net over them. I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will punish them for the sinful things they have done.

13 I t is bad for them, for they have turned away from Me! They will be destroyed, for they would not obey Me! I would save them and make them free, but they speak lies against Me.

14 T hey do not cry out to Me from their heart when they cry on their beds. They come together for grain and new wine, but turn away from Me.

15 I taught them and gave strength to their arms, yet they make sinful plans against Me.

16 T hey do not turn to the Most High. They are like a bow that does not work right. Their leaders will be killed by the sword because of their proud words. And those in the land of Egypt will laugh at them.