[1] When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel;
but when he offended in Baal, he died. [2] Now they sin more and more, and
have made them molten images of their silver, even idols according to their
own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen: they say of them,
Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves. [3] Therefore they shall be as
the morning cloud, and as the dew that passes early away, as the chaff that
is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing floor, and as the smoke
out of the chimney. [4] Yet I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt;
and you shall know no god but me, and besides me there is no savior. [5] I
did know you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. [6] According
to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart
was exalted: therefore have they forgotten me. [7] Therefore am I to them
as a lion; as a leopard will I watch by the way; [8] I will meet them as a
bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will tear the covering of their
heart; and there will I devour them like a lioness; the wild animal shall
tear them. [9] It is your destruction, Israel, that [you are] against me,
against your help. [10] Where now is your king, that he may save you in all
your cities? and your judges, of whom you said, Give me a king and princes?
[11] I have given you a king in my anger, and have taken him away in my
wrath. [12] The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is laid up in
store. [13] The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come on him: he is an
unwise son; for it is time he should not stay in the place of the breaking
forth of children. [14] I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will
redeem them from death: death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your
destruction? repentance shall be hid from my eyes. [15] Though he be
fruitful among his brothers, an east wind shall come, the breath of Yahweh
coming up from the wilderness; and his spring shall become dry, and his
fountain shall be dried up: he shall make spoil of the treasure of all
goodly vessels. [16] Samaria shall bear her guilt; for she has rebelled
against her God: they shall fall by the sword; their infants shall be
dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
