Hosea 7

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 maketh a raid without.

2 And let them not say to their heart — I remember all their wickedness; now their own doings have 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, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth to stir from the kneading of the dough until it be leavened.

5 On the day of our king the princes make him sick with the heat of wine, he stretcheth out his hand with scorners.

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 with the peoples; Ephraim is become 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 testifieth to his face; but they have not returned unto the LORD their God, nor sought Him, for all this.

11 And Ephraim is become like a silly dove, without understanding; they call unto Egypt, they go to Assyria.

12 Even as they 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 been made to hear.

13 Woe unto them! for they have strayed from Me; Destruction unto them! for they have transgressed against Me; Shall I then redeem them, seeing they have spoken lies against Me?

14 And they have not cried unto Me with their heart, though they wail upon their beds; they assemble themselves for corn and wine, they rebel against Me.

15 Though I have trained and strengthened their arms, yet do they devise evil against Me.

16 They return, but not upwards; they are become 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.