A reproof of manifold sins.

7:1 When I would heal Israel,
then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered,
also the wickedness of Samaria;
for they commit falsehood,
and the thief enters in,
and the gang of robbers ravages outside.

7:2 They don’t consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness.
Now their own deeds have engulfed them.
They are before my face.

7:3 They make the king glad with their wickedness,
and the princes with their lies.

7:4 They are all adulterers.
They are burning like an oven that the baker stops stirring,
from the kneading of the dough, until it is leavened.

7:5 On the day of our king, the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine.
He joined his hand with mockers.

7:6 For they have made ready their heart like an oven,
while they lie in wait.
Their baker sleeps all the night.
In the morning it burns as a flaming fire.

7:7 They are all hot as an oven,
and devour their judges.
All their kings have fallen.
There is no one among them who calls to me.

7:8 Ephraim, he mixes himself among the nations.
Ephraim is a pancake not turned over.

7:9 Strangers have devoured his strength,
and he doesn’t realize it.
Indeed, gray hairs are here and there on him,
and he doesn’t realize it.

7:10 The pride of Israel testifies to his face;
yet they haven’t returned to Yahweh their God,
nor sought him, for all this.

God's wrath against them for their hypocrisy.

7:11 “Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding.
They call to Egypt.
They go to Assyria.

7:12 When they go, I will spread my net on them.
I will bring them down like the birds of the sky.
I will chastise them, as their congregation has heard.

7:13 Woe to them!
For they have wandered from me.
Destruction to them!
For they have trespassed against me.
Though I would redeem them,
yet they have spoken lies against me.

7:14 They haven’t cried to me with their heart,
but they howl on their beds.
They assemble themselves for grain and new wine.
They turn away from me.

7:15 Though I have taught and strengthened their arms,
yet they plot evil against me.

7:16 They return, but not to the Most High.
They are like a faulty bow.
Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue.
This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.