1 According to the word of Ephraim he adopted ordinances for himself in Israel; and he established them for Baal, and died. 2 And 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 craft workers accomplished for them: they say, Sacrifice men, for the calves have come to an end. 3 Therefore they will be as a morning cloud, and as the early dew that passes away, as chaff blown away from the threshing floor, and as a vapor from locusts. 4 But I am the Lord your God⁠a that establishes the heaven, and creates the earth, whose hands have framed the whole host of heaven: but I did not show them to you that you should go after them: and I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and you shall know no God but me; and there is no Savior beside me. 5 I tended you as a shepherd in the wilderness, in an uninhabited land. 6 According to their pastures, so they were completely filled; and their hearts were exalted; therefore they forgot me. 7 And I will be to them as a panther, and as a leopard by the way of the Assyrians. 8 I will meet them as a she-bear excited, and I will tear the covering of their heart, and the lions' cubs of the thicket shall devour them there; the wild beasts of the field shall tear them in pieces. 9 Israel, who will aid you in your destruction? 10 Where is this your king? let him even save you in all your cities: let him judge you, of whom you said, Give me a king and a prince. 11 And I gave you a king in my anger, and kept him back in my fierce anger. 12 Ephraim has framed a conspiracy of unrighteousness, his sin is hidden. 13 Pains as of a woman in labor shall come upon him: he is your son that is not wise, because he shall not stay in the destruction of your children. 14 I will deliver them out of the power of Hades, and will redeem them from death: where is your penalty, death? Hades, where is your sting?⁠b comfort is hidden from my eyes. 15 Since he will cause a division among his brothers, 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 seize all his precious vessels.