| 1 When Ephraim spake, there was 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, even idols according
to their own understanding, all of them 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 dew that passeth early away, as the
chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing-floor, and as
the smoke out of the chimney. 4 Yet I am Jehovah thy God from the land of
Egypt; and thou shalt know no god but me, and besides me there is no saviour.
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 am
I unto them as a lion; as a leopard will I watch by the way; 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 lioness; the wild beast
shall tear them. 9 It is thy destruction, O Israel, that thou art
against me, against thy help. 10 Where now is thy king, that he may save
thee in all thy cities? and thy judges, of whom thou saidst, Give me a king
and princes? 11 I have given thee a king in mine anger, and have taken him
away in my wrath. 12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is laid
up in store. 13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he
is an unwise son; for it is time he should not tarry in the place of the
breaking forth of children. 14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol;
I will redeem them from death: O death, where are thy plagues? O Sheol, where
is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. 15 Though he
be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the breath of
Jehovah coming up from the wilderness; and his spring shall become dry, and
his fountain shall be dried up: he shall make spoil of the treasure of all
goodly vessels. 16 Samaria shall bear her guilt; 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.
Genesis - Public
Domain
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