Ephraim

Isra'el's arrogance will testify in his face; Isra'el and Efrayim will stumble in their crimes; Y'hudah too will stumble with them.

Efrayim will be laid waste when the day for punishment comes; I am announcing to the tribes of Isra'el what will surely happen.

Efrayim is oppressed, crushed by the judgment, because he deliberately sought out futility.

Therefore I am like a moth to Efrayim and like rottenness to the house of Y'hudah.

When Efrayim saw his sickness and Y'hudah his wound, Efrayim went to Ashur and sent envoys to a warring king; but he can't heal you or cure your wound.

For to Efrayim I will be like a lion, and like a young lion to the house of Y'hudah - I will tear them up and go away; I will carry them off, and no one will rescue.

"Efrayim, what should I do to you? Y'hudah, what should I do to you? For your 'faithful love' is like a morning cloud, like dew that disappears quickly.

In the house of Isra'el I have seen a horrible thing; whoring is found there in Efrayim, Isra'el is defiled.

when I am ready to heal Isra'el, the crimes of Efrayim confront me, along with the wickedness of Shomron. For they keep practicing deceit; thieves break in, bands of robbers raid outside.

"Efrayim mixes himself with the peoples, Efrayim has become a half-baked cake.

Efrayim behaves like a silly, foolish dove - going to Egypt, then to Ashur for help.

For they have gone up to Ashur; like a wild donkey, alone by itself, Efrayim has bargained for lovers.

For Efrayim keeps building altars for sin; yes, altars are sinful for him.

They won't remain in the land of ADONAI; instead, Efrayim will return to Egypt, and they will eat unclean food in Ashur.

The watchman of Efrayim is with my God, but a prophet has a fowler's snare set on all his paths and hostility even in the house of his God.

The glory of Efrayim will fly away like a bird - no birth, no pregnancy, no conception.

Efrayim, as I see it, is like Tzor, planted in a pleasant place; but Efrayim will bring out his children to the slaughterer.

Efrayim has been struck down, their root has been dried up, they will bear no fruit. Even if they do give birth, I will kill their cherished offspring."

It will be carried to Ashur as a present for a warring king. Efrayim will be put to shame, and Isra'el be ashamed of his own advice.

Efrayim is a well-taught cow - it loves to tread the grain, and I have spared her fair neck. But I will put Efrayim in harness, Y'hudah will have to plow, Ya'akov will harrow his own land.

"Yet it was I who taught Efrayim to walk; I took them by their arms. But they did not know that it was I who was healing them,

Efrayim, how can I give you up, or surrender you, Isra'el? How could I treat you like Admah or make you like Tzvoyim? My heart recoils at the idea, as compassion warms within me.

I will not give vent to the fierceness of my rage, I will not return to destroy Efrayim; for I am God, not a human being, the Holy One among you; so I will not come in fury.

"Efrayim surrounds me with lies and the house of Isra'el with deceit. Y'hudah still rules with God and is faithful with holy ones.

Efrayim is chasing the wind, pursuing the wind from the east. All day he piles up lies and desolation they make a covenant with Ashur, while sending olive oil to Egypt.