8Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned. 9Foreigners devour his strength, but he does not know it; gray hairs are sprinkled upon him, but he does not know it. 10Israel’s pride testifies against him; yet they do not return to the LORD their God, or seek him, for all this.

11Ephraim has become like a dove, silly and without sense; they call upon Egypt, they go to Assyria. 12As they go, I will cast my net over them; I will bring them down like birds of the air; I will discipline them according to the report made to their assembly. 13Woe to them, for they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against me.

14They do not cry to me from the heart, but they wail upon their beds; they gash themselves for grain and wine; they rebel against me. 15It was I who trained and strengthened their arms, yet they plot evil against me. 16They turn to that which does not profit; they have become like a defective bow; their officials shall fall by the sword because of the rage of their tongue. So much for their babbling in the land of Egypt.