1When once Ephraim spoke, all trembled, so high was he exalted in Israel; but he offended through Ba’al, and he died. 2And now they yet continue to sin, and have made themselves molten images of their silver, idols according to their own imagining, every one of them the work of the artisan: they say to them, They that sacrifice men may kiss the calves. 3Therefore shall they be as the morning cloud, and as the dew that early passeth away, as the chaff that is driven by the whirlwind out of the threshing–floor, and as smoke out of a window. 4Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt: and no god but me shalt thou know, and there is no saviour beside me. 5I myself did provide for thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. 6When they came to their pasture, they became sated; they were sated, and their heart was lifted up: therefore have they forgotten me. 7And now I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard will I lie in wait by the way. 8I will meet them as a bear bereaved of her whelps, and I will rend their closed–up heart; and I will devour them there like a lioness, the beasts of the field shall rend them. 9Thou hast destroyed thyself, O Israel; for against me, against thy helper didst thou rebel. 10Where then is now thy king, that he may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges, since thou saidst, Give me a king, and princes? 11I give thee a king in my anger, and take him away in my wrath. 12Bound up is the iniquity of Ephraim, treasured up is his sin. 13The pains of a travailing woman shall come upon him; he is an unwise son; for he will not remain steadfast at the time of the breaking forth of the child. 14From the power of the grave would I ransom them, from death would I redeem them; but now where are thy plagues, O death, where is thy pestilence, O grave? compassion shall be hidden from my eyes. 15Though he grow luxuriantly in the green meadows, the east wind shall come, the wind of the Lord, rising up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: the same shall plunder the treasure of all precious vessels. 16Samaria shall meet her punishment; for she hath rebelled against her God: by the sword shall they fall; their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women shall be ripped up.