Efrayim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Ashur, and oil is carried into Egypt.
There came against the land Pul the king of Ashur; and Menachem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
The wind shall feed all your shepherds, and your lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shall you be ashamed and confounded for all your wickedness.
I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Efrayim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of you; and I will not come in wrath.
*Though you, Yisra'el, play the prostitute, yet don't let Yehudah offend; and don't come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beit-Aven, nor swear, 'As the LORD lives.'
*When Efrayim saw his sickness, and Yehudah his wound, Then Efrayim went to Ashur, and sent to king Yarev: but he is not able to heal you, neither will he cure you of your wound.
When I would heal Yisra'el, then the iniquity of Efrayim is uncovered, also the wickedness of Shomron; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the gang of robbers ravages outside.
For they sow the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind. He has no standing grain. The stalk will yield no head. If it does yield, strangers will swallow it up.