1 W hen Ephraim spake, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

2 A nd 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 that sacrifice kiss the calves.

3 T herefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the dew that passeth 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 Y et I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt; and thou shalt know no god but me, and besides me there is no saviour.

5 I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

6 A ccording to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted: therefore have they forgotten me.

7 T herefore am I unto 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 rend the caul of their heart; and there will I devour them like a lioness; the wild beast shall tear them.

9 I t is thy destruction, O Israel, that thou art against me, against thy help.

10 W here now is thy king, that he may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges, of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?

11 I have given thee a king in mine anger, and have taken him away in my wrath.

12 T he iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is laid up in store.

13 T he sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for it is time he should not tarry 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: O death, where are thy plagues? O Sheol, where is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

15 T hough he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the breath of Jehovah 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 S amaria shall bear her guilt; for she hath 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.