Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. He makes a covenant with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt.
When Ephraim saw his disease and Judah his wound, Ephraim went to Assyria and sent a delegation to the great king. , But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.
They will be roused like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes. This is the Lord’s declaration.
Assyria will not save us, we will not ride on horses, and we will no longer proclaim, “Our gods! ” to the work of our hands. For the fatherless receives compassion in you.’
Now what will you gain by travelling along the way to Egypt to drink the water of the Nile? What will you gain by travelling along the way to Assyria to drink the water of the Euphrates?
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as my priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.
Though they offer sacrificial gifts , and eat the flesh, the Lord does not accept them. Now he will remember their guilt and punish their sins; they will return to Egypt.
For even if they flee from devastation, Egypt will gather them, and Memphis will bury them. Thistles will take possession of their precious silver; thorns will invade their tents.
So Ahaz sent messengers to King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria, saying, ‘I am your servant and your son. March up and save me from the grasp of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me.’
Everyone who has a treaty with you will drive you to the border; everyone at peace with you will deceive and conquer you. Those who eat your bread will set a trap for you. He will be unaware of it.