‘When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his sores, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and sent to the great king for help. But he is not able to cure you, not able to heal your sores.

Israel unrepentant

‘Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.

whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practise deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets;

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realise it was I who healed them.

‘I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.