Hosea 7:3-7

New International Reader's Version

³ “Their evil conduct even makes the king glad.
    Their lies make the princes happy.
⁴ But 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.”

⁵ On 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.
⁶ Their 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.
⁷ All 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.