Hosea - Chapter 7

1When 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. 2And 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. 3They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. 4They 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. 5On the day of our king the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers. 6For 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. 7They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me. 8Ephraim, he mixeth himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned. 9Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth `it' not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, and he knoweth `it' not. 10And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: yet they have not returned unto Jehovah their God, nor sought him, for all this. 11And Ephraim is like a silly dove, without understanding: they call unto Egypt, they go to Assyria. 12When 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. 13Woe 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. 14And 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. 15Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet do they devise mischief against me. 16They 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.