“Ephraim has become

Like a dove,

Silly,

Without sense.

They call upon Egypt.

They go to Assyria.

As they go,

I will cast my net

Over them.

I will bring them down

Like birds of the air.

I will disciple them

According to the report

Made to their assembly.”

Ephraim has become a silly, senseless dove. They tried to make alliances with Egypt and Assyria. However, Yahweh was going to cast a net over them. He was going to bring them down as if they were birds in the air. He was going to discipline them according to the information that he got from their assembly.