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.
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.
How can you protest, ‘I am not defiled; I have not followed the Baals’? Look at your behaviour in the valley; acknowledge what you have done. You are a swift young camel twisting and turning on her way,
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.’
When Israel grasped you by the hand, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you shattered and made all their hips unsteady.
‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: This is what you will say to Judah’s king, who is sending you to enquire of me: “Watch: Pharaoh’s army, which has come out to help you, is going to return to its own land of Egypt.
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?
The nations have heard of your dishonour, and your cries fill the earth, because warrior stumbles against warrior and together both of them have fallen.
Then you engaged in prostitution with the Assyrian men because you were not satisfied. Even though you did this with them, you were still not satisfied.
The wind will take charge of all your shepherds, and your lovers will go into captivity. Then you will be ashamed and humiliated because of all your evil.