CHAPTER 13
When Ephraim
spoke,
there was trembling;
he
was exalted
in Israel.
But he incurred guilt
through Baal,
and he died.
Now
they sin
more and more
and make
for themselves
cast images,
idols
skillfully made
from their silver,
all
of them
the work
of craftsmen.
People
say of them,
“Let the men
who offer human sacrifice
kiss
the calves!”
Therefore
they will be
like the morning
mist,
like the early
dew
that vanishes,
like chaff
blown
from a threshing floor,
and like smoke
through an open window.
Yet I am
the LORD
your God
ever since the land
of Egypt;
you know
no
God
but Me,
for there is no
Savior
besides Me.
When they had pasture,
they became satisfied;
when they were satisfied,
their hearts
became proud.
As a result,
they forgot Me.
Like a bear
robbed of her cubs,
I will attack them,
and I will tear
open their chests.
There
I will devour them
like a lion,
like a wild
beast
would tear them apart.
Where
is your king
now
to save you
in all
your cities,
and the rulers
to whom
you said,
“Give
me
a king
and princes”?
Labor
pains
come
upon him,
but he is
an unwise
son.
When
the time has arrived,
he
does not
present himself
at the opening of the womb.
I will ransom them
from the power
of Sheol;
I will redeem them
from Death.
Where,
O Death,
are your plagues?
Where,
O Sheol,
is your sting?
Compassion
is hidden
from My eyes.
Although
he
flourishes
among
his brothers,
an east wind
will come,
a wind
from the LORD
rising up
from the desert.
His fountain
will fail,
and his spring
will run dry.
The wind
will plunder
his treasury
of every
precious
article.
Samaria
will bear her guilt
because
she has rebelled
against her God.
They will fall
by the sword;
their little ones
will be dashed to pieces,
and their pregnant
women ripped open.