1 ` When I give healing to Israel, Then revealed is the iniquity of Ephraim, And the wickedness of Samaria, For they have wrought falsehood, And a thief doth come in, Stript off hath a troop in the street,

“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 A nd they do not say to their heart, all their evil I have remembered, Now compassed them have their doings, Over-against My face they have been.

They 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 W ith their wickedness they make glad a king, And with their lies -- princes.

They make the king glad with their wrong-doing, and the leaders with their lies.

4 A ll of them adulterers, Like a burning oven of a baker, He ceaseth from stirring up after kneading the dough, till its leavening.

None 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 A day of our king! Princes have polluted themselves the poison of wine, He hath drawn out his hand with scorners.

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

6 F or they have drawn near, As an oven their heart, In their lying in wait all the night sleep doth their baker, Morning! he is burning as a flaming fire.

Their 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 warm as an oven, And they have devoured their judges, All their kings have fallen, There is none calling unto Me among them.

All 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 E phraim! among peoples he mixeth himself, Ephraim hath been a cake unturned.

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

9 D evoured have strangers his power, And he hath not known, Also old age hath sprinkled on him, And he hath not known.

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

10 A nd humbled hath been the excellency of Israel to his face, And they have not turned back unto Jehovah their God, Nor have they sought Him for all this.

Israel’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 A nd Ephraim is as a simple dove without heart, Egypt they called on -- Asshur they have gone.

Ephraim 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 spread over them My net, As the fowl of the heavens I bring them down, I chastise them as their company hath heard.

When 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 W o to them, for they wandered from Me, Destruction to them, for they transgressed against Me, And I -- I ransom them, and they have spoken lies against Me,

It 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 A nd have not cried unto Me with their heart, but howl on their beds, For corn and new wine they assemble themselves, They turn aside against Me.

They 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 A nd I instructed -- I strengthened their arms, And concerning Me they think evil!

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

16 T hey turn back -- not to the Most High, They have been as a deceitful bow, Fall by sword do their princes, From the insolence of their tongue, This their derision in the land of Egypt!

They 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.