1 and to heal its wounds.
But then I see the crimes
in Israel7.1 Israel: See the note at 4.17. Samaria was the capital city of Israel. and Samaria.
Everyone is deceitful;
robbers roam the streets.
2 No one realizes
that I have seen their sins
surround them like a flood.
3 The king and his officials
take great pleasure
in their sin and deceit.
4 Everyone burns with desire—
they are like coals in an oven,
ready to burst into flames.
5 On the day their king
was crowned,
his officials got him drunk,
and he joined
in their foolishness.7.5 foolishness: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 5.
6 Their anger is a fire
that smolders all night,
then flares up at dawn.
7 They are flames
destroying their leaders.
And their kings are powerless;
none of them trust me.
8 The people of Israel7.8 Israel: Hebrew "Ephraim" (see the note at 4.17).
have mixed with foreigners;
they are a thin piece of bread
scorched on one side.
9 They don’t seem to realize
how weak and feeble they are;
their hair has turned gray,
while foreigners rule.
10 I am the Lord, their God,
but in all of their troubles
their pride keeps them
from returning to me.
No Help from Foreign Nations
The Lord said:
11 Israel7.11 Israel: Hebrew "Ephraim" (see the note at 4.17). is a senseless bird,
fluttering back and forth
between Egypt and Assyria.
12 But I will catch them in a net
as hunters trap birds;
I threatened to punish them,
and indeed I will.7.12 I threatened … will: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
13 Trouble and destruction
will be their reward
for rejecting me.
I would have rescued them,
but they told me lies.
14 They don’t really pray to me;
they just howl in their beds.
They have rejected me for Baal
and slashed themselves,7.14 slashed themselves: One ancient translation and some Hebrew manuscripts; other Hebrew manuscripts "gather together." Slashing themselves was one way of worshiping Baal (see 1 Kings 18.28).
in the hope that Baal
will bless their crops.
15 I taught them what they know,
and I made them strong.
Now they plot against me
16 and refuse to obey.7.16 and … obey: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
They are more useless
than a crooked arrow.
Their leaders will die in war
for saying foolish things.
Egyptians will laugh at them.