1 According to the word of Ephraim he adopted ordinances for himself in Israel ; and he established them for Baal, and died.
2 And now they have sinned increasingly, and have made for themselves a molten image of their silver, according to the fashion of idols, the work of artificers accomplished for them : they say, Sacrifice men, for the calves have come to an end.
3 Therefore shall they be as a morning cloud, and as the early dew that passes away, as chaff blown away from the threshing-floor, and as a vapour from tears.
4 But I am the Lord thy God that establishes the heaven, and creates the earth, whose hands have framed the whole host of heaven : but I shewed them not to thee that thou shouldest go after them : and I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no God but me ; and there is no Saviour beside me.
5 I tended thee as a shepherd in the wilderness, in an uninhabited land.
6 According to their pastures, so they were completely filled ; and their hearts were exalted ; therefore they forgot me.
7 And I will be to them as a panther, and as a leopard.
8 I will meet them by the way of the Assyrians, as a she-bear excited, and I will rend the caul of their heart, and the lions' whelps of the thicket shall devour them there ; the wild beasts of the field shall rend them in pieces.
9 O Israel, who will aid thee in thy destruction ?
10 Where is this thy king ? let him even save thee in all thy cities : let him judge thee, of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and a prince.
11 And I gave thee a king in mine anger, and kept him back in my wrath.
12 Ephraim has framed a conspiracy of unrighteousness, his sin is hidden.
13 Pains as of a woman in travail shall come upon him : he is thy wise son, because he shall not stay in the destruction of thy children.
14 I will deliver them out of the power of Hades, and will redeem them from death : where is thy penalty, O death ? O Hades, where is thy sting ? comfort is hidden from mine eyes.
15 Forasmuch as he will cause a division among his brethren, the Lord shall bring upon him an east wind from the desert, and shall dry up his veins and quite drain his fountains : he shall dry up his land, and spoil all his precious vessels.