「每當我要使子民復興的時候，
1每當我要醫治以色列的時候，
卻看見以法蓮的罪，撒瑪利亞7·1 「撒瑪利亞」為北國以色列的首都，此處代指以色列。本卷書中下同。的惡。
他們行事詭詐；
盜賊進屋偷竊，強盜外出搶劫。
2他們沒有想到我記得他們的所有惡行。
如今他們的罪惡環繞他們，
都暴露在我面前。
3他們以罪惡取悅君王，
以謊言討好首領。
4他們都是通姦之徒7·4 「通姦之徒」此處指以色列人背棄耶和華，祭拜偶像。，
就像熱烘烘的烤爐，
從揉麵到麵團發起，
烤餅的人不用挑爐火。
5君王宴樂的時候，
首領們醉酒成病，
君王也與輕慢上帝的人聯手。
6他們的心如烤爐，燃燒著陰謀。
他們的怒氣如整夜悶燒的爐火，
早晨爆發出熊熊烈焰。
7他們像炙熱的烤爐，
吞滅他們的首領。
他們的君王都倒地而亡，
沒有一個向我求救。
8「以法蓮與外族人混雜，
就像沒有翻過的餅7·8 「沒有翻過的餅」指一面烤焦一面生的餅，不能食用，意義見下節。。
9外族人耗盡了他的力量，
他卻茫然不知。
他頭髮斑白，
卻渾然不覺。
10以色列人被自己的傲慢指控，
他們卻不歸向他們的上帝耶和華，
也不去尋求祂。
11以法蓮像鴿子一樣愚蠢無知，
他們向埃及求救，又投奔亞述。
12他們去的時候，
我要張網網住他們，
我要像打落飛鳥一樣打落他們。
我要按他們的惡行7·12 「他們的惡行」希伯來文是「他們的會眾所聽到的」。懲罰他們。
13他們有禍了，
因為他們背棄我！
他們要被毀滅了，
因為他們背叛我！
我要救贖他們，
他們卻向我撒謊。
14他們沒有真心呼求我，
只是在床上哭號。
他們為求五穀和新酒而割傷自己，
卻背棄了我。
15我訓練他們，使他們臂膀強壯，
他們卻陰謀作惡抗拒我。
16他們回轉，卻不肯轉向至高者，
他們就像無用的斷弓。
他們的首領要因出言狂妄而喪身刀下，
成為埃及人的笑柄。
1I would like to heal Israel.
But when I try to, Ephraim’s sins
are brought out into the open.
The crimes of Samaria
are made known to everyone.
The people tell lies.
They break into houses and steal.
They rob others in the streets.
2But they do not realize
that I remember all the evil things they do.
Their sins pile up and cover them.
I am always aware of their sins.
3“Their evil conduct even makes the king glad.
Their lies make the princes happy.
4But all the people are unfaithful to the king.
Their anger against him burns
like the coals in an oven.
The baker does not even need to stir up the fire
until the dough is ready.”
5On special days to honor our king,
the princes get drunk with wine.
And the king enjoys the party.
He joins hands with those
who pretend to be faithful to him.
6Their hearts are as hot as an oven.
They make evil plans to get rid of him.
Their anger burns like a slow fire all night.
In the morning it blazes out like a flaming fire.
7All of them are as hot as an oven.
They destroy their rulers.
All their kings fall from power.
But none of them calls on the Lord for help.
8The people of Ephraim mix with the nations.
They are like a thin loaf of bread
that is baked on only one side.
9People from other lands make them weaker and weaker.
But they don’t realize it.
Their hair is becoming gray.
But they don’t even notice it.
10The pride of Israel proves that they are guilty.
But in spite of everything,
they don’t return to the Lord their God.
They don’t go to him for help.
11The Lord says,
“The people of Ephraim are like a dove.
They are easily tricked.
They do not have any sense at all.
First they call out to Egypt for help.
Then they turn to Assyria.
12When they send for help,
I will throw my net over them.
I will capture them like the birds in the sky.
When I hear them gathering like birds,
I will catch them.
13How terrible it will be for them!
They have wandered away from me.
So they will be destroyed.
That’s because they have refused to obey me.
I long to save them.
But they tell lies about me.
14They do not cry out to me from their hearts.
Instead, they just lie on their beds and sob.
They cut themselves when they pray to their gods
for grain and fresh wine.
But they turn away from me.
15I brought them up and made them strong.
But they make evil plans against me.
16I am the Most High God. But they do not turn to me.
They are like a bow that does not shoot straight.
Their leaders will be killed by swords.
They will die because they have spoken too proudly.
The people of Egypt
will make fun of them.”
