7 When they sow the wind,they will reap the whirlwind;The stalk of grain that forms no headcan yield no flour;Even if it could,strangers would swallow it.
8 Israel is swallowed up;now they are among the nations,like a useless vessel.
9 For they went up to Assyria—a wild ass off on its own—Ephraim bargained for lovers.
10 Even though they bargain with the nations,I will now gather them together;They will soon succumbunder the burden of king and princes.
11 When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin,they became altars for sinning.
12 Though I write for him my many instructions,they are considered like a stranger’s.
13 They love sacrifice,they sacrifice meat and eat it,but the Lord is not pleased with them.Now he will remember their guiltand punish their sins;they shall return to Egypt.