Even though he is fruitful compared to his relatives, an east wind will come, the LORD's wind storm from the wilderness, and his spring will evaporate. His fountain will dry up, and the LORD's wind storm will plunder all the expensive vessels of the treasury.

"From the power of Sheol I will rescue them, from death I will redeem them. Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? My eyes will remain closed to your pleas for compassion.

"I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt, and you have known no god except for me, because except for me there is no savior.

Samaria will be held guilty, because she has rebelled against her God. By the sword they will fall with their infants dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women torn open."

I will confront them like a bear deprived of her cubs; I will tear open their ribs. I will devour them like a lion the wild beasts will rip them apart.

"When the tribe of Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; and it was exalted within Israel. But when they offended God by Baal, they died,

"You have destroyed yourself, Israel, although I remain your help.

but now they are sinning more and more, crafting idols from melted silver. Their idols are made with the most exacting skill, all of it the work of craftsmen. People say about them, "They offer human sacrifice, and kiss calf-shaped idols.'

Therefore they will be like morning clouds, like early morning dew that evaporates, like chaff blown away from the threshing floor, or like smoke from a chimney."

I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my fury."

As their pastures flourished, all their desires were met. As they were satiated, they became arrogant and therefore ignored me.

When the time of childbirth comes, he will be so foolish that he will refuse to be born."

I took care of you in the wilderness, in a waterless land.

Now where is your king? Will he save you in all your cities? And where are your judges, about whom you demanded, "Give me a king and officials!'?

"So I will be like a lion to them. Like a leopard I will stalk them along the road.

"Ephraim's guilt is on record; his sin is stored away.