Ephraim's Iniquity
1When I would have healedIsrael,then the iniquityof Ephraimwas discovered,and the wickednessof Samaria:for they commitfalsehood;and the thiefcometh in,[and] the troopof robbers spoilethwithout.
2And they considernot in their hearts[that] I rememberall their wickedness:now their own doingshave beset them about;they are before my face.
3They make the kinggladwith their wickedness,and the princeswith their lies.
4They [are] all adulterers,as an ovenheatedby the baker,[who] ceasethfrom raisingafter he hath kneadedthe dough,until it be leavened.
5In the dayof our kingthe princeshave made [him] sickwith bottlesof wine;he stretched outhis handwith scorners.
6For they have made readytheir heartlike an oven,whiles they lie in wait:their bakersleepethall the night;in the morningit burnethas a flamingfire.
7They are all hotas an oven,and have devouredtheir judges;all their kingsare fallen:[there is] none among them that callethunto me.
8Ephraim,he hath mixedhimself among the people;Ephraimis a cakenot turned.
9Strangershave devouredhis strength,and he knoweth[it] not: yea, gray hairsare here and thereupon him, yet he knowethnot.
10And the prideof Israeltestifiethto his face:and they do not returnto the LORDtheir God,nor seekhim for all this.
11Ephraimalso is like a sillydovewithout heart:they callto Egypt,they goto Assyria.
12When they shall go,I will spreadmy netupon them; I will bring them downas the fowlsof the heaven;I will chastisethem, as their congregationhath heard.
13Woeunto them! for they have fledfrom me: destructionunto them! because they have transgressedagainst me: though I have redeemedthem, yet they have spokenliesagainst me.
14And they have not criedunto me with their heart,when they howledupon their beds:they assemblethemselves for cornand wine,[and] they rebelagainst me.
15Though I have bound[and] strengthenedtheir arms,yet do they imaginemischiefagainst me.
16They return,[but] not to the most High:they are like a deceitfulbow:their princesshall fallby the swordfor the rageof their tongue:this[shall be] their derisionin the landof Egypt.
