4. O Ephrayim, what shall I do unto thee? O Yehudah, what shall I do with thee? For your chesed (faithfulness, loyalty) is as an anan boker (morning cloud), and as the early dew that disappears.
5. Therefore have I cut them to pieces with the nevi'im; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; thy mishpatim are as the ohr (light, lightning) that goeth forth.
6. For I desired chesed, and not zevach; and the da'as Elohim more than olot (burnt offerings). [Mt 9:13 OJBC]
7. But they are like Adam, they have transgressed the brit (covenant); there have they dealt treacherously against Me.
8. Gil`ad is a city of evildoers, is trodden with dahm.
9. And as gedudim (marauders) lie in wait for a man, so the chever (band) [of] kohanim murder in the way to Shechem; for they commit shameful crimes.
10. I have seen a horrible thing in Bais Yisroel: there is the zenut (whoredom) of Ephrayim; Yisroel is tameh (unclean, defiled).
11. Also, O Yehudah, he hath set a katzir (harvest [of punishment]) for thee, when I turn the Shevut Ami (Captivity of My people, i.e., restore their fortunes).