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

When Ephraim spoke, trembling, He exalted himself in Israel; But when he offended through Baal worship, he died.

2 N ow 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.’

Now they sin more and more, And have made for themselves molded images, Idols of their silver, according to their skill; All of it is the work of craftsmen. They say of them, “Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!”

3 T herefore 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.

Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud And like the early dew that passes away, Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor And like smoke from a chimney.

4 “ 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.

“Yet I am the Lord your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me.

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

I knew you 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 they have forgotten me.

When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me.

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

“So I will be to them like a lion; Like a leopard by the road I will lurk;

8 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.

I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs; I will tear open their rib cage, And there I will devour them like a lion. The wild beast shall tear them.

9 Y ou are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your help.

“O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help is from Me.

10 W here 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?’

I will be your King; Where is any other, That he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’?

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

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

12 T he guilt of Ephraim is stored up. His sin is stored up.

“The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; His sin is stored up.

13 T he 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.

The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. He is an unwise son, For he should not stay long where children are born.

14 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.

“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.”

15 T hough 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.

Though he is fruitful among his brethren, An east wind shall come; The wind of the Lord shall come up from the wilderness. Then his spring shall become dry, And his fountain shall be dried up. He shall plunder the treasury of every desirable prize.

16 S amaria 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.”

Samaria is held guilty, For she has rebelled against her God. They shall fall by the sword, Their infants shall be dashed in pieces, And their women with child ripped open.