Hosea 7
1WHEN I have healed Israel, then shall be disclosed the iniquity of Ephraim and the wickedness of Samaria. Because they have framed lies, therefore a thief shall come in to him, a skulking robber shall be in his way:
2that they may chime together like them who sing in unison. I remembered all their wickedness, now their own devices have encompassed them. They were all open to My view.
3They made kings glad by their wickedness and chiefs by their lies.
4They all burn with adultery, like an oven for baking cakes, which, after putting in the fire, after mixing the dough, is kept burning till the dough is leavened.
5With regard to the days of your kings, the chiefs had begun to be inflamed with wine. He [the king] had stretched forth his hand with turbulent men.
6Because their hearts were heated like an oven, when they had revelled the whole night, Ephraim fell fast asleep. The morning came, he was heated again like a flaming fire.
7They were all hot as an oven and devoured their judges; all their kings fell; there was none among them who appealed to Me.
8Ephraim was mingled among his tribes; Ephraim was a cake under ashes, which had not been turned.
9Strangers devoured his strength and he did not know it; grey hairs grew upon him and he did not perceive it.
10(p) Though it was evident that the haughtiness of Israel would be humbled, yet despite all this they did not turn to the Lord their God, nor seek Him diligently.
11(J) Ephraim indeed was like a silly pigeon which had no understanding. He called upon Egypt: and they went to the Assyrians.
12Let them go where they will, I will spread My net for them and bring them down like the birds of the air, and instruct them with the report of one another’s affliction.
13Alas for them, because they have departed from Me! They are fainthearted, because they have transgressed against Me.
14Though I redeemed them, yet they spoke lies against Me. Their hearts do not cry to Me, but only make moans on their beds—for corn and wine they were deeply affected.
15By Me they were instructed—I indeed strengthened their arms; but they devised evils against Me.
16They were turned back to no purpose. They were like a bended bow. Let their chiefs fall by the sword for the folly of their tongue; let the derision they endured in the land of Egypt come into their bosoms like dirt, like an eagle darting upon the house of the Lord.