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 with trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended and became guilty in Baal worship, 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.”

And now they sin more and more and have made for themselves molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen. To these they speak or pray who sacrifice to them; they kiss and show homage to 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 shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that passes early away, like the chaff that swirls with the whirlwind from the threshing floor and as the smoke out of the chimney or through the window.

4 P ero 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 the Lord your God from the land of Egypt, and you shall know or recognize no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me.

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

I knew (recognized, understood, and had regard for) 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, and their heart was lifted up; therefore have they forgotten Me.

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

Therefore I have become to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk by the way and watch them.

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

I will meet them like a bear that is robbed of her cubs, and I will rend the covering of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lioness, as a wild beast would tear them.

9 T u destrucción vendrá, oh Israel, Porque estás contra Mí, contra tu ayuda.

It is your destruction, O Israel, that you have been against Me, for in Me is 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 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?

11 E n Mi ira te di un rey, Y te lo quité en Mi furor.

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

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

The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is laid up in store.

13 D olores de parto vienen sobre él; No es un hijo sensato, Porque no es hora de que se demore en abrirse la matriz.

The pains of a woman in childbirth are coming on for him; but he is an unwise son, for now when it is time, he comes not to the place where children break forth.

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

Should I ransom them from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead)? Should I redeem them from death? O death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your destruction? Relenting and compassion are hidden from My eyes.

15 A unque él florezca entre los juncos, Vendrá el viento solano (del este), Viento del Señor que sube del desierto, Su fuente se secará Y su manantial se agotará; Despojará su tesoro de todos los objetos preciosos.

For though among his brethren he may be fruitful, an east wind will come, the breath of the Lord rising from the desert; and Ephraim’s spring shall become dry and his fountain be dried up. shall plunder his treasury of every precious vessel.

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 shall bear her guilt and become desolate, for she rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword, their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women shall be ripped up.