1. When Ephraim spoke trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended through Baal worship, 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 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 passes 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 your God from the land of Egypt, and you shall know no god but me: for there is no savior besides me.
5. I did know you 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 cubs, and will tear the fat of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.