1
when I am ready to heal Isra'el, the crimes of Efrayim confront me, along with the wickedness of Shomron. For they keep practicing deceit; thieves break in, bands of robbers raid outside.
2
They never say to themselves that I remember all their evil. Now their own deeds surround them; they are right in front of me.
3
They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the leaders with their lies.
4
They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by the baker, who doesn't stoke the fire from kneading time till the dough has risen.
5
"On their king's special day the leaders inflame him with wine, and he joins hands with scorners,
6
who ready themselves like an oven while they wait for their chance. Their baker sleeps through the night; then in the morning it bursts into flame.
7
They are all as hot as an oven, and they devour their judges. All their kings have fallen; not one of them calls out to me.
8
"Efrayim mixes himself with the peoples, Efrayim has become a half-baked cake.