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¹ When Ephraim spoke trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.² And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, [and] idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of artificers: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.³ Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff [that] is driven with the whirlwind from the floor, and as the smoke from the chimney.⁴ Yet I [am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no God but me: for [there is] no savior besides me.

⁵ I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drouth.⁶ According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.⁷ Therefore I will be to them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe [them].⁸ I 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 lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

⁹ O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me [is] thy help.¹⁰ I will be thy king: where [is any other] that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?¹¹ I gave thee a king in my anger, and took [him] away in my wrath.¹² The iniquity of Ephraim [is] bound up; his sin [is] hid.¹³ The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he [is] an unwise son; for he should not stay long in [the place of] the breaking forth of children.¹⁴ I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues, O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from my eyes.¹⁵ Though he is fruitful among [his] brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall pillage the treasure of all pleasant vessels.¹⁶ Samaria shall become desolate; 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.