7For they have been planting the wind, and their fruit will be the storm; his grain has no stem, it will give no meal, and if it does, a strange nation will take it.
8Israel has come to destruction; now they are among the nations like a cup in which there is no pleasure.
9For they have gone up to Assyria like an ass going by himself; Ephraim has given money to get lovers.
10But though they give money to the nations for help, still I will send them in all directions; and in a short time they will be without a king and rulers.
11Because Ephraim has been increasing altars for sin, altars have become a cause of sin to him.
12Though I put my law in writing for him in ten thousand rules, they are to him as a strange thing.
13He gives the offerings of his lovers, and takes the flesh for food; but the Lord has no pleasure in them; now he will keep in mind their evil-doing and give them the punishment of their sins; they will go back to Egypt.
