7. So I will pounce on them like a lion;like a leopard I will lurk by the path.
8. I will attack them like a bear robbed of her cubs – I will rip open their chests.I will devour them there like a lion – like a wild animal would tear them apart.
9. I will destroy you, O Israel!Who is there to help you?
10. Where then is your king, that he may save you in all your cities?Where are your rulers for whom you asked, saying,“Give me a king and princes”?
11. I granted you a king in my anger,and I will take him away in my wrath!
12. The punishment of Ephraim has been decreed;his punishment is being stored up for the future.
13. The labor pains of a woman will overtake him,but the baby will lack wisdom;when the time arrives,he will not come out of the womb!
14. Will I deliver them from the power of Sheol? No, I will not!Will I redeem them from death? No, I will not!O Death, bring on your plagues!O Sheol, bring on your destruction!My eyes will not show any compassion!
15. Even though he flourishes like a reed plant,a scorching east wind will come,a wind from the Lord rising up from the desert.As a result, his spring will dry up;his well will become dry.That wind will spoil all his delightful foodsin the containers in his storehouse.