Ephraim's Glory Vanishes
1When Ephraimspaketrembling,he exaltedhimself in Israel;but when he offendedin Baal,he died.
2And now they sinmore and more,and have madethem molten imagesof their silver,[and] idolsaccording to their own understanding,all of it the workof the craftsmen:they sayof them, Let the menthat sacrificekissthe calves.
3Therefore they shall be as the morningcloud,and as the earlydewthat passeth away,as the chaff[that] is driven with the whirlwindout of the floor,and as the smokeout of the chimney.
God's Anger
4Yet I [am] the LORDthy Godfrom the landof Egypt,and thou shalt knowno godbut me:for [there is] no saviourbeside me.
5I did knowthee in the wilderness,in the landof great drought.
6According to their pasture,so were they filled;they were filled,and their heartwas exalted;therefore have they forgottenme.
7Therefore I will be unto them as a lion:as a leopardby the waywill I observe[them]:
8I will meetthem as a bear[that is] bereaved[of her whelps], and will rendthe caulof their heart,and there will I devourthem like a lion:the wildbeastshall tearthem.
God's Mercy
9O Israel,thou hast destroyedthyself; but in me [is] thine help.
10I willbe thy king:where[is any other] that may savethee in all thy cities?and thy judgesof whom thou saidst,Giveme a kingand princes?
11I gavethee a kingin mine anger,and took[him] away in my wrath.
12The iniquityof Ephraim[is] bound up;his sin[is] hid.
13The sorrowsof a travailing womanshall comeupon him: he [is] an unwiseson;for he should not staylongin [the place of] the breaking forthof children.
14I will ransomthem from the powerof the grave;I will redeemthem from death:O death,I willbe thy plagues;O grave,I willbe thy destruction:repentanceshall be hidfrom mine eyes.
The Judgment on Samaria
15Though he be fruitfulamong [his] brethren,an east windshall come,the windof the LORDshall come upfrom the wilderness,and his springshall become dry,and his fountainshall be dried up:he shall spoilthe treasureof all pleasantvessels.
16Samariashall become desolate;for she hath rebelledagainst her God:they shall fallby the sword:their infantsshall be dashed in pieces,and their women with childshall be ripped up.
