Ephraim will become a waste in the day of punishment; I have given knowledge among the tribes of Israel of what is certain.

O Ephraim, what am I to do to you? O Judah, what am I to do to you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew which goes early away.

They have gone to what is of no value; they are like a false bow; their captains will come to destruction by the sword, and their ruler by my wrath; for this, the land of Egypt will make sport of them.

Israel has given up what is good; his haters will go after him.

What will you do on the day of worship, and on the day of the feast of the Lord?

O Lord, what will you give them? Give them bodies which may not give birth and breasts without milk.

Now, truly, they will say, We have no king, we have no fear of the Lord; and the king, what is he able to do for us?

Take with you words, and come back to the Lord; say to him, Let there be forgiveness for all wrongdoing, so that we may take what is good, and give in payment the fruit of our lips.

As for Ephraim, what has he to do with false gods any longer? I have given an answer and I will keep watch over him; I am like a branching fir-tree, from me comes your fruit.