Evidence of the nation’s iniquity

8 Ephraim – he lets himself be mixed among the peoples,

Ephraim – he has become a cake unturned.

9 Strangers have devoured his strength, but he does not know it.

His hair is sprinkled with grey, but he does not notice.

10 Israel’s arrogance testifies against them

yet they do not return to the Lord their God,

and in all this they do not seek him.

11 Ephraim is like a simple, silly dove:

to Egypt they call, after Assyria they go,

12 wherever they turn I will spread my net over them,

like birds of the sky I will bring them down,

I will catch them when I hear them gathering.

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

Destruction to them, for they have been untrue to me.

Although it was I who redeemed them,

they speak lies about me.

14 They have never cried to me with their hearts,

but they are always wailing on their beds.

They gather to beg for corn and new wine,

but they turn away from me.

15 Although it was I who trained and strengthened their arms,

concerning me they plan only evil.

16 They turn away from the Most High[fn].

They have become like a bow that swerves.

Their princes will fall by the sword,

because of the insolence of their tongues.

The land of Egypt will mock them.

8 Put the horn to your mouth!

An eagle swoops down upon the house of the Lord[fn]

because they have transgressed my covenant,

trespassed against my law.

2 To me they continually cry,

‘My God, we Israel, we know you!’

3 But Israel has spurned that which is good,

so let the foe pursue him.