Hosea 12:8

‘And Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself, in all my labours they will find in me no iniquity that was sin.”

In total contrast with Hosea's accusation in Hosea 12:7 we have Ephraim's opinion of themselves, describing themselves as totally honest traders who cannot be faulted, and who have mainly done it on their own (‘I have found wealth for myself'). They considered that although they had become rich there was no one who could question their methods (no doubt they argued ‘its business' and saw themselves as hard-headed businessmen). Anyone who wanted could examine their way of working and would find nothing at all to criticise in it. And it was mainly due to their own efforts with a little help from God. Indeed that was surely why they had been blessed with prosperity, was it not? This was a clear indication that they did not agree with Hosea's verdict on them. Rather they were very pleased with themselves. Thus they did not see themselves as needing to repent.