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.