“Long ago when I came upon Israel,it was like finding grapes out in the desert.When I found your ancestors, it was like findinga fig tree bearing fruit for the first time.But when they arrived at Baal-peor, that pagan shrine,they took to sin like a pig to filth,wallowing in the mud with their newfound friends.Ephraim is fickle and scattered, like a flock of blackbirds,their beauty dissipated in confusion and clamor,Frenetic and noisy, frigid and barren,and nothing to show for it—neither conception nor childbirth.Even if they did give birth, I’d declare themunfit parents and take away their children!Yes indeed—a black day for themwhen I turn my back and walk off!I see Ephraim letting his children run wild.He might just as well take them and kill them outright!”