Hosea 7

1 when I would heal Israel,

and the corruption of Ephraim is revealed,

and the wicked deeds of Samaria;

because they deal in falsehood,

the thief breaks in,*Or "comes in"

and the bandit raids the outside.

2 But they did not consider*Literally "But they did not say to their heart"

that I remember all their wickedness.

Now their deeds surround them;

they are before my face.

3 By their wickedness they make the king glad,

and the officials by their treacheries.

4 All of them commit adultery,

like a burning oven

whose baker has stopped from stirring the fire,

and from kneading the dough until it is leavened.

5 On the day of our king, the princes

became sick with the heat of wine;*This phrase refers to the effects of wine on the body

he stretched out his hand with mockers.

6 Because they are kindled*Hebrew "they drew near;" other ancient translations read "they are kindled" like an oven,

their heart burns within them;

all night their anger smolders,*Literally "sleeps"

in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.

7 All of them are hot as an oven,

and they devour*Or "they eat" their rulers.

All their kings have fallen;

there is none who calls to me amongst them.

8 Ephraim mixes himself

with the nations;

Ephraim is a bread cake

not turned over.

9 Foreigners devour*Or "Foreigners eat" his strength,

and he does not know it;

mold*Literally "grey hair," but in this case the word refers to the "hairs of mold" on food is also sprinkled upon him,

and he does not know it.

10 The pride of Israel testifies against him*Literally "answers against his face"—

they do not return to Yahweh their God;

they do not seek him for all of this.*Or "in all of this"

11 Ephraim was like a dove,

silly, without sense;*Literally "without heart"

they call to Egypt,

they go to Assyria.

12 Just as they go, I will cast my net

over them;

I will bring them down

like the birds*Hebrew "bird" of the heavens;*Or "sky"

I will discipline them

according to a report to their assembly.*Hebrew uncertain

13 Woe to them, because they have strayed from me!

Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me!

I myself would redeem them,

but they speak lies against me.

14 They do not cry out to me from their heart,

but they wail on their beds;

because of grain and new wine they lacerate*Or "gash" themselves;

they depart from me.

15 And I myself trained

and strengthened their arms;

but they plan evil against me.

16 They turn, not to the Most High,*Hebrew uncertain; the NRSV translates "to that which does not profit"; the NASB translates "but not upward"

like a slack bow;

their officials will fall by the sword

because of the anger of their tongue.

This is their scorn*The NRSV translates "So much for their babbling"

in the land of Egypt.