1When I want to heal Israel, the sin of Ephraim and the wickedness of Samaria are exposed. They lie, and thieves break in, and gangs of robbers attack outside.
2They don't think that I remember all their evil deeds. Now their own actions have trapped them; everything they've done is right in front of me.
3They make the king happy with their wickedness and make the princes happy with their lies.
4They are all like unfaithful spouses. They are burning with passion, like an oven that the baker stops tending to from the time he kneads the dough until it rises.
5On the day of our king, the princes made themselves sick from too much wine. The king joined forces with people who mocked him.
6Their hearts are prepared like an oven while they lie in wait. Their baker sleeps all night, but in the morning, their evil burns like a blazing fire.
7They are all as hot as an oven and destroy their judges. All their kings have fallen. Not one of them calls out to me.
8Ephraim mixes with other nations. Ephraim is like a pancake that hasn't been flipped.
9Foreigners have used up his strength, and he doesn't even realize it. In fact, he has gray hairs appearing here and there, and he doesn't notice.
10Israel's pride testifies against him; yet, despite all this, they haven't returned to Yahweh their God, nor have they sought him.
11Ephraim is like a dove, easily fooled and without understanding. They call out to Egypt. They go to Assyria.
12When they go, I will spread my net over them. I will bring them down like birds from the sky. I will punish them, just as their community has heard I would.
13How terrible for them! Because they have strayed from me. Destruction on them! Because they have sinned against me. Even though I wanted to rescue them, they have spoken lies against me.
14They haven't sincerely cried out to me, but they howl on their beds. They gather for grain and new wine, but they turn away from me.
15Even though I taught them and strengthened their arms, they still plot evil against me.
16They turn back, but not to the Most High God. They are like a faulty bow. Their princes will die by the sword because of their angry words. This will be their humiliation in the land of Egypt.