The LORD's Relentless Judgement on Israel

1When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling;

he was exalted in Israel,

but he incurred guilt through Baal and died.

2And now they sin more and more,

and make for themselves metal images,

idols skilfully made of their silver,

all of them the work of craftsmen.

It is said of them,

“Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!”

3Therefore they shall be like the morning mist

or like the dew that goes early away,

like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor

or like smoke from a window.

4But I am the LORD your God

from the land of Egypt;

you know no God but me,

and besides me there is no saviour.

5It was I who knew you in the wilderness,

in the land of drought;

6but when they had grazed,13:6 Hebrew according to their pasture they became full,

they were filled, and their heart was lifted up;

therefore they forgot me.

7So I am to them like a lion;

like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.

8I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs;

I will tear open their breast,

and there I will devour them like a lion,

as a wild beast would rip them open.

9He destroys13:9 Or I will destroy you, O Israel,

for you are against me, against your helper.

10Where now is your king, to save you in all your cities?

Where are all your rulers—

those of whom you said,

“Give me a king and princes”?

11I gave you a king in my anger,

and I took him away in my wrath.

12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up;

his sin is kept in store.

13The pangs of childbirth come for him,

but he is an unwise son,

for at the right time he does not present himself

at the opening of the womb.

14I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol;

I shall redeem them from Death.13:14 Or Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death?

O Death, where are your plagues?

O Sheol, where is your sting?

Compassion is hidden from my eyes.

15Though he may flourish among his brothers,

the east wind, the wind of the LORD, shall come,

rising from the wilderness,

and his fountain shall dry up;

his spring shall be parched;

it shall strip his treasury

of every precious thing.

1613:16 Ch 14.1 in Hebrew Samaria shall bear her guilt,

because she has rebelled against her God;

they shall fall by the sword;

their little ones shall be dashed in pieces,

and their pregnant women ripped open.