1According to the word of Ephraim he adopted ordinances for himself in Israel; and he established them for Baal, and died.

2And now they have sinned increasingly, and have made for themselves a molten image of their silver, according to the fashion of idols, the work of artificers accomplished for them: they say, Sacrifice men, for the calves have come to an end.

3Therefore shall they be as a morning cloud, and as the early dew that passes away, as chaff blown away from the threshing-floor, and as a vapour from tears.

4But I am the Lord thy God that establishes the heaven, and creates the earth, whose hands have framed the whole host of heaven: but I shewed them not to thee that thou shouldest go after them: and I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no God but me; and there is no Saviour beside me.

5I tended thee as a shepherd in the wilderness, in an uninhabited land.

6According to their pastures, so they were completely filled; and their hearts were exalted; therefore they forgot me.

7And I will be to them as a panther, and as a leopard.

8I will meet them by the way of the Assyrians, as a she-bear excited, and I will rend the caul of their heart, and the lions' whelps of the thicket shall devour them there; the wild beasts of the field shall rend them in pieces.

9O Israel, who will aid thee in thy destruction?

10Where is this thy king? let him even save thee in all thy cities: let him judge thee, of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and a prince.

11And I gave thee a king in mine anger, and kept him back in my wrath.

12Ephraim has framed a conspiracy of unrighteousness, his sin is hidden.

13Pains as of a woman in travail shall come upon him: he is thy wise son, because he shall not stay in the destruction of thy children.

14I will deliver them out of the power of Hades, and will redeem them from death: where is thy penalty, O death? O Hades, where is thy sting? comfort is hidden from mine eyes.

15Forasmuch as he will cause a division among his brethren, the Lord shall bring upon him an east wind from the desert, and shall dry up his veins and quite drain his fountains: he shall dry up his land, and spoil all his precious vessels.