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 entereth in, and the troop of robbers ravageth without. 2 And they
consider not 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
ceaseth 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
sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth 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 that calleth unto me. 8 Ephraim, he
mixeth himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not:
yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, and he knoweth it not.
10 And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: yet they have not
returned unto Jehovah their God, nor sought him, for all this. 11 And
Ephraim is like a silly dove, without understanding: they call unto Egypt,
they go to Assyria. 12 When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them;
I will bring them down as the birds of the heavens; I will chastise them, as
their congregation hath heard. 13 Woe unto them! for they have wandered
from me; destruction unto them! for they have trespassed against me: though I
would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me. 14 And they have
not cried unto me with their heart, but they howl upon 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 that 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.
Genesis - Public
Domain
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