8. The prophet is God’s watchmanlooking over Ephraim,yet a hunter’s trap is set, covering all his ways,and rejection is in his God’s house.
9. They have corrupted themselves terriblyas in the days of Gibeah;he will remember their wickedness;he will punish their sins.
10. Like grapes in the wilderness,I found Israel.In its first season,like the first fruit on the fig tree,I saw your ancestors.But they came to Baal-peor,and worshipped a thing of shame;they became detestable like the thing they loved.
11. Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird—no birth, no pregnancy, no conception!
12. Though they bring up children,I will make them childlessuntil no one is left.Doom to them indeed when I leave them!
13. When I looked toward Tyre, Ephraim was planted in alovely meadow;but now Ephraim must lead out his children for slaughter.
14. Give them, Lord—what will you give them?Give them a womb that miscarriesand breasts that are dried up.