1 When Ephraim spoke [everyone] feared, he was exalted in Israel; but he was found guilty in Baal and died.
2 And now they sin more and more, and of their silver they have made molten images according to their own intelligence, idols, all of it the work of the craftsmen; they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
3 Therefore they shall be as the morning mist and as the early dew that passes 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] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt; therefore thou shalt know no God other than me, nor any other saviour but me.
5 I knew thee in the wilderness, in the dry land.
6 In their pastures, they filled themselves; they were satisfied, and their heart was exalted; for this reason they have forgotten me.
7 Therefore I will be unto them as a lion; as a tiger in the way I will observe [them]:
8 I will meet them as a bear [that is] bereaved [of her whelps] and will rend the veil of their heart, and there I will devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them apart.
9 O Israel, thou hast caused thyself to become lost, but in me [is] thine help.
10 Where is thy king, that may save thee with all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou didst say, Give me a king and princes?
11 I gave thee a king in my anger and took [him] away in my wrath.
12 The iniquity of Ephraim [is] bound up; his sin [is] hid.
13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him; he [is] an unwise son; for a long time now he should not have stopped short at the very breaking forth of birth.
14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death; O death, I will be thy end; O Sheol, I will be thy destruction. Repentance shall be hid from my eyes.
15 Though he be fruitful among [his] brethren, the east wind shall come; the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up; he shall spoil the treasure of all the vessels of desire.
16 Samaria shall be condemned; 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 open.: