And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
And - i:e., Notwithstanding.
Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich - i:e., I regard not what the prophets say: I am content with my state, as "I am rich" (Revelation 3:17). Therefore, in just retribution, this is the very language of the enemy, in being the instrument of Israel's punishment (Zechariah 11:5, "They that sell them say ... I am rich"). Better far poverty with honesty than riches gained by sin.
In all my labours - my gains by labour.
They shall find none - i:e., none shall find any.
Iniquity in me that were sin - iniquity that would bring down the penalty of sin. Ephraim argues, My success in my labours proves that I am not a guilty sinner, as the prophets assert. Thus sinners pervert God's long-suffering goodness, whereby "He maketh His sun to rise on the evil" as well as "on the good, and sendeth rain" not only "on the just," but also "on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45), into a justification of their impenitence (cf. Ecclesiastes 8:11-13).