1When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel; but he became guilty through Baal and died.
2And now they sin more and more, and have made for themselves a molten image from their silver, idols by their understanding, all of it the work of craftsmen. To them they say, "Those who sacrifice men (adam) kiss calves."
3Therefore they shall be like a morning cloud, and like the dew that goes early away; like chaff whirled from the threshing floor, and like smoke from a window.
4And I am YHWH your God from the land of Egypt; and a God besides me you shall not know, and there is no savior except me.
5I knew you in the wilderness, in a land of droughts.
6According to their pasture, so they were filled; they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me.
7And I became to them like a lion; like a leopard by the way I watch.
8I meet them like a bear bereaved of its cubs, and I tear the enclosure of their heart; and there I devour them like a lioness; the beast (chai) of the field tears them.
9It is your destruction, O Israel, that you are against me, against your help.
10Where 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 princes"?
11I give you a king in my anger, and I take him away in my wrath.
12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up, his sin is stored away.
13The pangs of a woman in labor shall come upon him; he is an unwise son; for at the time he should not stand in the breaking forth of sons.
14From 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 is hidden from my eyes.
15For he among brothers is fruitful; an east blast shall come, the spirit (ruach) of YHWH coming up from the wilderness, and his spring shall dry up, and his fountain shall be dried; it shall plunder the treasury of every desirable vessel.