1. When Ephraim spoke 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 themselves molten images from 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 like the morning cloud, and like the early dew that passes away, like the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind away from the floor, and like 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.
5. I knew you 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 to 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 cubs, and will tear the covering of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
9. O Israel, you have destroyed yourself; but in me is your help.
10. I will be your king: where is any other that may save you in all your cities? and where are your judges of whom you said, Give me a king and princes?
11. I gave you a king in my 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 woman in birth labor shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not remain long in the opening of the womb during birth.
14. 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: turning back shall be hid from my 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 plunder the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
16. Samaria 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 women with child shall be ripped up.
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