1When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he became guilty through Baal, and he died.
2And now they keep on sinning; they make for themselves a molten image from their silver, idols according to their skill, all of it the work of craftsmen. Of these they say, ‘Let the men who sacrifice kiss calves!’
3Therefore they will be like a morning cloud, like the dew that rises early and goes away, like chaff whirled away from the threshing floor, and like smoke from a window.
4But I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt; you shall know no God but me, and there is no savior besides me.
5I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.
6When they had their pasture, they were satisfied; they were satisfied, and their heart grew proud; therefore they forgot me.
7So I have become to them like a lion, like a leopard I lurk beside the road.
8I will meet them like a bear robbed of her cubs, and I will tear open the enclosure of their heart; there I will devour them like a lioness—a wild beast of the field will rip them apart.
9He has destroyed you, Israel, for in me is your help.
10Where 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’?
11I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath.
12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored away.
13The pangs of a woman in labor come upon him; he is an unwise son, for at the proper time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb.
14From the hand of Sheol I will ransom them; from Death I will redeem them. Where are your plagues, O Death? Where is your sting, O Sheol? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
15Though he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come, the wind of Yahweh, rising from the wilderness; his source will dry up and his fountain will be parched. He will plunder the treasury of every precious vessel.
16Samaria will bear her guilt, for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their infants will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.
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