| Chapter 7 |
1 |
When I would heal Israel, then is the iniquity of Ephraim uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the troop of robbers ravages outside. |
2 |
They don`t consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now have their own doings beset them about; they are before my face. |
3 |
They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. |
4 |
They are all adulterers; they are as an oven heated by the baker; he ceases to stir the fire, from the kneading of the dough, until it be leavened. |
5 |
On the day of our king the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers. |
6 |
For they have made ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait: their baker sleeps all the night; in the morning it burns as a flaming fire. |
7 |
They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them who calls to me. |
8 |
Ephraim, he mixes himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned. |
9 |
Strangers have devoured his strength, and he doesn`t know it: yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, and he doesn`t know it. |
10 |
The pride of Israel does testify to his face: yet they have not returned to Yahweh their God, nor sought him, for all this. |
11 |
Ephraim is like a silly dove, without understanding: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. |
12 |
When they shall go, I will spread my net on them; I will bring them down as the birds of the sky; I will chastise them, as their congregation has heard. |
13 |
Woe to them! for they have wandered from me; destruction to them! for they have trespassed against me: though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me. |
14 |
They have not cried to me with their heart, but they howl on their beds: they assemble themselves for grain and new wine; they rebel against me. |
15 |
Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet do they devise mischief against me. |
16 |
They return, but not to him who 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. |
