Hosea 7:4-11

4They all commit adultery. They are like a heated oven, an oven so hot that a baker doesn’t have to fan its flames when he makes bread.

5On the day of the king’s celebration, the officials become drunk from wine, and the king joins mockers.

6They become hot like an oven while they lie in ambush. All night long their anger smolders, but in the morning it burns like a raging fire.

7They are all as hot as an oven. They consume their judges ⌞like a fire⌟. All their kings die in battle, and none of them calls to me.

8“Ephraim mixes with other nations. Ephraim, you are like a half-baked loaf of bread.

9Foreigners are using up your strength, but you don’t realize it. You have become a gray-haired, old man, but you don’t realize it.

10Israel, your arrogance testifies against you, but even after all this, you don’t turn to the Lord your God or look to him for help.

11Ephraim, you are like a silly, senseless dove. You call for Egypt and run to Assyria for help.