⁸ "Ephraim compromises with the nations; he's a half-baked cake. ⁹ Foreigners have consumed his strength, and he hasn't noticed. Furthermore, his head is sprinkled with gray hair, but he doesn't realize it. ¹⁰ Israel's arrogance testifies against him; but they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him in all of this.

¹¹ "Ephraim is also like a silly dove, lacking sense: They call out to Egypt, and turn toward Assyria. ¹² When they go, I'll cast my net over them. I'll bring them down, as one shoots birds in the sky. I'll chasten them, as the assembly has already heard.

¹³ Woe to them because they have run away from me. Ruin to them because they have sinned against me. Even though I redeemed them, they spread lies against me. ¹⁴ They will not cry to me from their heart instead, they wail on their beds. They gather together to eat and drink, turning away from me. ¹⁵ "Though I have taught them and strengthened their arms, nevertheless they plot evil against me. ¹⁶ They return but not to the Most High. They are like a defective weapon. Their princes will fall by the sword because of their raging tongue, and they will be a laughingstock in the land of Egypt."