1. whenever I would heal Israel,the sins of Ephraim are exposedand the crimes of Samaria revealed.They practise deceit,thieves break into houses,bandits rob in the streets;
2. but they do not realisethat I remember all their evil deeds.Their sins engulf them;they are always before me.
3. ‘They delight the king with their wickedness,the princes with their lies.
4. They are all adulterers,burning like an ovenwhose fire the baker need not stirfrom the kneading of the dough till it rises.
5. On the day of the festival of our kingthe princes become inflamed with wine,and he joins hands with the mockers.
6. Their hearts are like an oven;they approach him with intrigue.Their passion smoulders all night;in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.
7. All of them are hot as an oven;they devour their rulers.All their kings fall,and none of them calls on me.
8. ‘Ephraim mixes with the nations;Ephraim is a flat loaf not turned over.
9. Foreigners sap his strength,but he does not realise it.His hair is sprinkled with grey,but he does not notice.
10. Israel’s arrogance testifies against him,but despite all thishe does not return to the Lord his Godor search for him.
11. ‘Ephraim is like a dove,easily deceived and senseless –now calling to Egypt,now turning to Assyria.