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;
but they do not realise
    that I remember all their evil deeds.
Their sins engulf them;
    they are always before me.

‘They delight the king with their wickedness,
    the princes with their lies.

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