Ephraimfeedson wind,And pursuesthe eastwindcontinually;He multipliesliesand violence.Moreover, he makesa covenantwith Assyria,And oilis carriedto Egypt.
Then behold,sevenears,thinand scorchedby the eastwind,sproutedup afterthem.
Pul,kingof Assyria,cameagainstthe land,and MenahemgavePula thousandtalentsof silverso that his handmight be with him to strengthenthe kingdomunder his rule.
Moreover,he madehighplacesin the mountainsof Judah,and caused the inhabitantsof Jerusalemto playthe harlotand ledJudahastray.
"Should a wisemananswerwith windyknowledgeAnd fillhimselfwith the eastwind?
But they deceivedHim with their mouthAnd liedto Him with their tongue.
"Whydo you goaround somuchChangingyour way?Also,you will be putto shameby EgyptAs you were putto shameby Assyria.
"The windwill sweepawayallyour shepherds,And your loverswill gointo captivity;Thenyou will surelybe ashamedand humiliatedBecauseof allyour wickedness.
"I will castyou out of My sight,as I have castout allyour brothers,allthe offspringof Ephraim.
We have submittedto Egypt[and] Assyriato getenoughbread.
"Behold,though it is planted,will it thrive?Will it not completelywitheras soon as the eastwindstrikesit-- witheron the bedswhereit grew?"'"
EphraimsurroundsMe with liesAnd the houseof Israelwith deceit;Judahis alsounrulyagainstGod,Even againstthe HolyOnewho is faithful.
I will not executeMy fierceanger;I will not destroyEphraimagain.For I am Godand not man,the HolyOnein your midst,And I will not comein wrath.
Thoughyou, Israel,playthe harlot,Do not let Judahbecomeguilty;Also do not goto Gilgal,Or goup to Beth-avenAnd takethe oath:"As the LORDlives!"
The windwrapsthem in its wings,And they will be ashamedbecauseof their sacrifices.
When Ephraimsawhis sickness,And Judahhis wound,Then Ephraimwentto AssyriaAnd sentto KingJareb.But he is unableto healyou, Or to cureyou of your wound.
When I would healIsrael,The iniquityof Ephraimis uncovered,And the evildeedsof Samaria,For they dealfalsely;The thiefentersin, Banditsraidoutside,
So Ephraimhas becomelike a sillydove,withoutsense;They callto Egypt,they goto Assyria.
For they sowthe windAnd they reapthe whirlwind.The standinggrainhasnoheads;It yieldsnograin.Shouldit yield,strangerswould swallowit up.
