And Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his bond. And Ephraim went to Assur, and sent to the king avenger. And he may not save you, neither he may unbind the bond from you.
In all the days of him, Pul, the king of Assyria, came into Tirzah. And Menahem gave to Pul a thousand talents of silver, that he should be to him into help, and should make steadfast his realm;
In the days of Pekah, king of Israel, Tiglathpileser, king of Assur, came, and took Ijon, and Abel, the house of Maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, and all the land of Naphtali; and translated or brought them over into Assyrians.
Forsooth Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser, king of Assyrians, and said, I am thy servant and thy son; go thou up, and make me safe from the hand of the king of Syria, and from the hand of the king of Israel, that have risen together against me.
Ephraim feedeth on the wind, and followeth heat. All day he multiplieth leasing, and destroying; and he made bond of peace with Assyrians, and bare oil into Egypt.
Assur shall not save us, we shall not go upon horse; and we shall no more say, Our gods be the works of our hands; for thou shalt have mercy on that motherless child, which is in thee.
And she shall follow her lovers, and shall not overtake them, and she shall seek them, and shall not find [them]; and she shall say, I shall go, and turn again to my former husband, for it was well to me then more than now.