| 1When Ephraim spoke, there was terror; he was exalted in Israel, but he became guilty by worshiping Baal and died. | 1When Ephraim spoke, there was terror; he was exalted in Israel, but he became guilty by worshiping Baal and died. |
| 2Even now they persist in sin! They make metal images for themselves, idols that they skillfully fashion from their own silver; all of them are nothing but the work of craftsmen! There is a saying about them: "Those who sacrifice to the calf idol are calf kissers!" | 2Even now they persist in sin! They make metal images for themselves, idols that they skillfully fashion from their own silver; all of them are nothing but the work of craftsmen! There is a saying about them: "Those who sacrifice to the calf idol are calf kissers!" |
| 3Therefore they will disappear like the morning mist, like early morning dew that evaporates, like chaff that is blown away from a threshing floor, like smoke that disappears through an open window. | 3Therefore they will disappear like the morning mist, like early morning dew that evaporates, like chaff that is blown away from a threshing floor, like smoke that disappears through an open window. |
| 4But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. Therefore, you must not acknowledge any God but me; except me there is no Savior. | 4But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. Therefore, you must not acknowledge any God but me; except me there is no Savior. |
| 5I cared for you in the wilderness, in the dry desert where no water was. | 5I cared for you in the wilderness, in the dry desert where no water was. |
| 6When they were fed, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; as a result, they forgot me! | 6When they were fed, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; as a result, they forgot me! |
| 7So I will pounce on them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk by the path. | 7So I will pounce on them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk by the path. |
| 8I will attack them like a bear robbed of her cubs--I will rip open their chests. I will devour them there like a lion--like a wild animal would tear them apart. | 8I will attack them like a bear robbed of her cubs--I will rip open their chests. I will devour them there like a lion--like a wild animal would tear them apart. |
| 9I will destroy you, O Israel! Who is there to help you? | 9I will destroy you, O Israel! Who is there to help you? |
| 10Where then is your king, that he may save you in all your cities? Where are your rulers for whom you asked, saying, "Give me a king and princes"? | 10Where then is your king, that he may save you in all your cities? Where are your rulers for whom you asked, saying, "Give me a king and princes"? |
| 11I granted you a king in my anger, and I will take him away in my wrath! | 11I granted you a king in my anger, and I will take him away in my wrath! |
| 12The punishment of Ephraim has been decreed; his punishment is being stored up for the future. | 12The punishment of Ephraim has been decreed; his punishment is being stored up for the future. |
| 13The labor pains of a woman will overtake him, but the baby will lack wisdom; when the time arrives, he will not come out of the womb! | 13The labor pains of a woman will overtake him, but the baby will lack wisdom; when the time arrives, he will not come out of the womb! |
| 14Will I deliver them from the power of Sheol? No, I will not! Will I redeem them from death? No, I will not! O Death, bring on your plagues! O Sheol, bring on your destruction! My eyes will not show any compassion! | 14Will I deliver them from the power of Sheol? No, I will not! Will I redeem them from death? No, I will not! O Death, bring on your plagues! O Sheol, bring on your destruction! My eyes will not show any compassion! |
| 15Even though he flourishes like a reed plant, a scorching east wind will come, a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. As a result, his spring will dry up; his well will become dry. That wind will spoil all his delightful foods in the containers in his storehouse. | 15Even though he flourishes like a reed plant, a scorching east wind will come, a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. As a result, his spring will dry up; his well will become dry. That wind will spoil all his delightful foods in the containers in his storehouse. |
| 16Samaria will be held guilty, because she rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword, their infants will be dashed to the ground--their pregnant women will be ripped open. | 16Samaria will be held guilty, because she rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword, their infants will be dashed to the ground--their pregnant women will be ripped open. |
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