“1 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.” (Hosea 13:1-16 AV)