1 C uando Efraín hablaba, reinaba el temor; se había exaltado a sí mismo en Israel, pero por causa de Baal pecó y murió.

When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling. He exalted himself in Israel, but when he became guilty in Baal, he died.

2 Y ahora continúan pecando: se hacen imágenes fundidas, ídolos, con su plata, conforme a su pericia, todo ello obra de artífices. De ellos dicen: Que los hombres que sacrifican, besen los becerros.

Now they sin more and more, and have made themselves molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen. They say of them, ‘They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves.’

3 P or tanto, serán como niebla de la mañana, y como rocío que pronto desaparece, como paja aventada de la era, y como humo de chimenea.

Therefore they will be like the morning mist, and like the dew that passes away early, like the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing floor, and like the smoke out of the chimney.

4 M as yo he sido el Señor tu Dios desde la tierra de Egipto; no reconocerás a otro dios fuera de mí, pues no hay más salvador que yo.

“Yet I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt; and you shall acknowledge no god but me, and besides me there is no savior.

5 Y o te cuidé en el desierto, en tierra muy seca.

I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

6 C uando comían sus pastos, se saciaron, y al estar saciados, se ensoberbeció su corazón; por tanto, se olvidaron de mí.

According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted. Therefore they have forgotten me.

7 S eré, pues, para ellos como león; como leopardo junto al camino acecharé.

Therefore I am like a lion to them. Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path.

8 C omo osa privada de sus cachorros, me enfrentaré a ellos y les desgarraré el pecho, y allí los devoraré como leona, como los desgarraría una bestia salvaje.

I will meet them like a bear that is bereaved of her cubs, and will tear the covering of their heart. There I will devour them like a lioness. The wild animal will tear them.

9 T u destrucción vendrá, oh Israel, porque estás contra mí, contra tu ayuda.

You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your help.

10 ¿ Dónde está ahora tu rey para que te salve en todas tus ciudades, y tus jueces de quienes me decías: Dame rey y príncipes?

Where is your king now, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes?’

11 T e di rey en mi ira, y te lo quité en mi furor.

I have given you a king in my anger, and have taken him away in my wrath.

12 A tada está la iniquidad de Efraín, guardado su pecado.

The guilt of Ephraim is stored up. His sin is stored up.

13 D olores de parto vienen sobre él; no es un hijo sensato, porque no es hora de que se demore en la apertura del vientre.

The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him. He is an unwise son; for when it is time, he doesn’t come to the opening of the womb.

14 ¿ Los libraré del poder del Seol ? ¿Los redimiré de la muerte? ¿Dónde están, oh muerte, tus espinas ? ¿Dónde está, oh Seol, tu aguijón ? La compasión estará oculta a mi vista.

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? “Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.

15 A unque él florezca entre los juncos, vendrá el solano, viento del Señor que sube del desierto, y su fuente se secará y su manantial se agotará; despojará su tesoro de todos los objetos preciosos.

Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come, the breath of Yahweh coming up from the wilderness; and his spring will become dry, and his fountain will be dried up. He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.

16 S amaria será considerada culpable, porque se rebeló contra su Dios. Caerán a espada; serán estrellados sus niños, y abiertos los vientres de sus mujeres encinta.

Samaria will bear her guilt; for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women will be ripped open.”