1When Ephraim spake , there was trembling ; he exalted himself in Israel ; but when he offended in Baal , he died . 2And now they sin more and more , and have made them molten images of their silver , even idols according to their own understanding , all of them the work of the craftsmen : they say of them , Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves . 3Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud , and as the dew that passeth early away , as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing-floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney. 4Yet I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt ; and thou shalt know no god but me , and besides me there is no saviour . 5I did know thee in the wilderness , in the land of great drought . 6According to their pasture , so were they filled ; they were filled , and their heart was exalted : therefore have they forgotten me .
The Consequences of Rebellion
7Therefore am I unto them as a lion ; as a leopard will I watch by the way ; 8I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart ; and there will I devour them like a lioness ; the wild beast shall tear them . 9It is thy destruction , O Israel , that thou art against me , against thy help . 10Where now is thy king , that he may save thee in all thy cities ? and thy judges , of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes ? 11I have given thee a king in mine anger , and have taken him away in my wrath .
God's Sovereignty and Mercy
12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up ; his sin is laid up in store . 13The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him : he is an unwise son ; for it is time he should not tarry in the place of the breaking forth of children . 14I will ransom them from the power of Sheol ; I will redeem them from death : O death , where are thy plagues ? O Sheol , where is thy destruction ? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes . 15Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come , the breath of Jehovah coming up from the wilderness ; and his spring shall become dry , and his fountain shall be dried up : he shall make spoil of the treasure of all goodly vessels . 16Samaria shall bear her guilt; for she hath 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.