1
When Efrayim spoke, there was trembling. He exalted himself in Yisra’el, but he became guilty through Ba’al and died.
2
And now they continue to sin, and they make for themselves a molten image from their silver, idols according to their understanding, all of it the work of craftsmen. Of them they say: “Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves.”
3
Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud, and like the dew that goes away early, like chaff driven by whirlwind from the threshing floor, and like smoke from a window.
4
Yet I am Yahuah your Elohim from the land of Mitzrayim, and you shall know no Elohim except Me, for there is no savior besides Me.
5
I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great dryness.
6
According to their pasture, so they were filled. They were filled, and their heart was exalted. Therefore they forgot Me.
7
So I became to them like a lion. Like a leopard beside the way I watched.
8
I will meet them like a bear bereaved of her cubs, and tear open the enclosure of their heart. And there I will devour them like a lion. The beast of the field shall tear them apart.
9
You have destroyed yourself, Yisra’el, for your help is only in Me.
10
Where now is your king, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges, of whom you said: “Give me a king and rulers”?
11
I gave you a king in My anger, and I took him away in My wrath.
12
The crookedness of Efrayim is bound up. His sin is stored away.
13
Pains of childbirth shall come upon him. He is a son without wisdom, for at the proper time he does not stand at the opening of the womb.
14
From the hand of Sheol I will ransom them. From death I will redeem them. Where are your plagues, O death? Where is your destruction, O Sheol? Compassion shall be hidden from My eyes.
15
Though he bears fruit among brothers, an east wind shall come, the ruach of Yahuah coming up from the wilderness. And his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up. It shall plunder the treasury of every precious vessel.
16
Shomron shall bear her guilt, because she rebelled against her Elohim. By the sword they shall fall. Their infants shall be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women shall be ripped open.