13 When
Ephraim spake 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 the craftsmen: 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 out of the floor, and as
the smoke out of 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 saviour beside me. 5 I
did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. 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 unto 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 thine 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 mine 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 mine eyes. 15 Though
he be 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 spoil 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.