8. “Ephraim mixes with the nations. Ephraim is like a cake that was not cooked on both sides.
9. Strangers destroy Ephraim’s strength, but Ephraim does not know it. Gray hairs are also sprinkled on Ephraim, but Ephraim does not know it.
10. Ephraim’s pride speaks against him. The people had many troubles, but they still didn’t go back to the Lord their God. They didn’t look to him for help.
11. So Ephraim has become like a silly dove without understanding. The people called to Egypt for help. They went to Assyria for help.
12. They go to those countries for help, but I will trap them. I will throw my net over them, and I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will punish them for their agreements.
13. It will be very bad for those who left me. They refused to obey me, so they will be destroyed. I saved them, but they speak lies against me.