1When Ephraim spoke, they were feared, for they were the leading tribe in Israel. But when they were guilty of Baal worship, they died.

2Now they constantly sin, making for themselves idols from molten metal. All of these idols are skillfully made from silver by their craftsmen. “Offer sacrifices to these idols,” say the people. “Kiss the bull calf idols.”

3Consequently they will be like the morning mist, like early morning dew, like chaff blowing away from the threshing floor, like smoke from a chimney.

4Yet I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. You shall know ⁸⁶no other gods but me. None can save you except me.

5I looked after you in the wilderness; in that dry desert land it was like pasture to them ⁸⁷

6and they were satisfied. But when they were satisfied they became arrogant, and they forgot me. ⁸⁸

7So I will be like a lion to them, like a leopard I will lie in wait beside the path.

8I will be like a mother bear whose cubs have been taken, I will rip out their hearts. I shall devour them like a lion, like a wild beast I will tear them apart.

9You have destroyed yourselves, Israel, for your only help is in me.

10Where then is your king? Let him save you in all your cities! Where are your leaders who demanded a king and princes from me?

11In my anger I give you a king, and in my fury I take one. ⁸⁹

12Ephraim's guilt is packed up; their sin will be eradicated. ⁹⁰

13The pain of childbirth has come to them, trying to give birth to a son who is not “wise” because he is not in the right position when the time comes. ⁹¹

14I shall redeem them from the power of Sheol; I shall deliver them from death. Where, death, are your plagues? Where, Sheol, is your destruction? Compassion is hidden from my sight.

15Even though they flourish among the reeds, ⁹²an east wind will come, a wind from the Lord that rises in the desert will dry up their springs and their wells will fail. It will rob from their treasury everything of value.

16The people of Samaria will have to bear the consequences of their guilt, because they rebelled against their God. They will be slaughtered by the sword; their children will be dashed to the ground; their pregnant women will be ripped open.