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, men shook in fear. He was honored in Israel. But he sinned by worshiping Baal, and 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. They make false gods for themselves. Their able workmen make them out of silver. And they say, “Let the men who give gifts in worship kiss the calf-gods!”

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.

So they will be like the morning cloud, and like the water on the grass in the early morning which is soon gone. They will be like the dust of the grain that is blown away from the grain-floor, and like smoke from a fire.

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.

“I am the Lord your God Who brought you out of Egypt. You were not to know any god but Me, for there is no one who can save you but Me.

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

I cared for you in the desert, in the land where there was no water.

6 C uando comían sus pastos, se saciaron, Y al estar saciados, se ensoberbeció su corazón; Por tanto, se olvidaron de Mí.

When I fed them, they were filled. And when they were filled, their heart became proud and they forgot Me.

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

So I will be like a lion to them. I will lie in wait by the road like a leopard.

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 fight them like a bear robbed of her young ones. I will tear open their chests. I will eat them there like a female lion, and tear them like a wild animal.

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

“I will destroy you, O Israel, because you are against Me, against your Helper.

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, that he may save you? Where are your rulers in all your cities, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and leaders’?

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

I gave you a king in My anger, and in My anger I took him away.

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

“The wrong-doing of Ephraim is being kept. His sin is being stored up.

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 like a woman giving birth will come upon him, but he is not a wise son. He is not willing to be born.

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.

I will pay the price to free them from the power of the grave. I will save them from death. O Death, where are your thorns? O Grave, where is your power to destroy? I will have no loving-pity.

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.

“Even if he grows among his brothers, an east wind will come. The wind of the Lord will come from the desert. And his well will dry up. His water will be gone. It will take away everything of much worth.

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 suffer for her guilt, for she has not wanted to obey her God. They will be killed by the sword. Their little ones will be crushed in pieces. And their women who are soon to give birth will be torn open.”