1
When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel ; but when he offended in Baal , he died .
2
And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver , and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen : they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves .
3
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud , and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor , and as the smoke out of the chimney.
4
Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt , and thou shalt know no God but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
5
I did know thee in the wilderness , in the land of great drought.
6
According to their pasture, so were they filled ; they were filled , and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
7
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
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 lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
9
O Israel , thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
10
I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities ? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes ?
11
I gave thee a king in mine anger , and took him away in my wrath .
12
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
13
The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son ; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children .
14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues ; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes .
15
Though he be fruitful among his brethren , an east wind shall come , the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness , and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels .
16
Samaria shall become desolate; 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.