 1 When Ephraim spoke trembling, he was lifted up in Israel. But when he offended in Baal, he died. 2 Now they sin more and more and made a molten image of silver for themselves 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. 3 Therefore they will be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passes away, as the chaff storm driven out of the 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. 5 I have known you in the wilderness, in the land of great dryness. 6 According to their pasture, so were they filled. They were filled and their heart was lifted up. Therefore they have forgotten me. 7 Therefore I will be like a lion to them. Like a leopard by the way I will watch them. 8 I will meet them like an anguished+ bear and will tear the lining of their heart. I will devour them like a lion. The wild beast will tear them. 9 O Israel, you have destroyed yourself. But in me is your help. 10 Where 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 rulers? 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 hidden. 13 The pains of a woman in travail will come to him. He is an unwise son. For he cannot stand still in the time of the breaking forth of sons. 14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, where are your plagues; O Grave, where is your ruin. Repentance will be hidden from my eyes. 15 Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come. The wind of the Lord will come up from the wilderness, and his spring will be ashamed, and his fountain will be dried up. He will plunder the treasure of all desirable vessels. 16 Samaria will become a waste, 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 up.
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