Hosea 7

1 When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.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 their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.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.They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. ✦

4 They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.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 In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.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, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.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 have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.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 hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.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, yet he knoweth not.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 testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.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 Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.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 fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.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 fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.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, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.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 bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet do they devise mischief against me. ✦

16 They return, but not to the most 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.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. ✦