1When Ephraim spoke there was trembling. He exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal worship, he died.

2And now they sin more and more, and have made themselves a molten image 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 who sacrifice kiss the calves."

3Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passes away, as the chaff storm driven from a threshing floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

4"Yet I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt, and you shall know no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me.

5I have known you in the wilderness, in the land of great dryness.

6When they were fed, they became full. They were filled and their heart was exalted. Therefore they have forgotten Me.

7Therefore I will be as a lion to them; as a leopard by the way I will watch.

8I will meet them like a bear that is bereaved of her cubs, and will tear open their chests. And there I will devour them like a lion--as the wild beast would tear them.

9O Israel, you have destroyed yourself; but in Me is your help.

10Where 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'?

11I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath.

12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hidden.

13The pains of a woman in travail shall come upon him. He is an unwise son; for he should not delay long at the time of the breaking forth of children.

14I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Grave, I will be your destruction! And compassion shall be hidden from My eyes."

15Though he is fruitful among his brothers, 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 plunder the treasure of all desirable vessels.

16Samaria shall become desolate, for she has 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.