Hosea 13:1-16

When Ephraim used to speak, his words commanded great respect. He once had great authority in Israel, but he became guilty of Baal worship and signed his own death warrant. And now they sin more and more by making silver idols for themselves, cleverly crafted idols of their own invention— each skillfully made by human hands. “Sacrifice to them,” they say. Why would men kiss idols of calves? Therefore, the entire tribe of Ephraim will vanish like the morning mist, like the dew that quickly disappears, like the chaff blown by the wind from the threshing floor, like smoke rising from a chimney. YAHWEH “I, YAHWEH, have been your true God ever since your days in Egypt. You must know no other god but me. There is no other god who can save you. I tenderly cared for you in the desert, in the land of dreadful drought. When I pastured you, you were full, but when you were satisfied, your hearts grew proud, and you completely forgot about me. So now I will be like a male lion to you, like a leopard lurking beside the path. I will attack you like a charging bear robbed of her cubs, and will rip open your chest. Like a lioness, I will devour you on the spot; like a wild beast I will tear you to shreds! Israel, you have destroyed yourself, because you are against me, your only help.” “Where is your king now, who could save you in all your cities? Where are your rulers, of whom you said, ‘Give us a king and leaders’? In my anger, I gave you kings, and in my wrath, I have taken them away. “Ephraim’s sin is recorded; his guilt is on record and kept in store. “You are like a senseless baby at the point of childbirth; labor pains have begun, and his time is due, but he refuses to leave the womb. Shall I save my people from the clutches of Sheol? Shall I ransom them from Death’s firm grip? Hey, Death! Tell me, where is your punishment? Hey, Grave! Tell me, where is your sting? Revenge will be hidden from my eyes.” Though Ephraim bears more fruit than his brothers, YAHWEH’s breath will blow from the desert. The scorching wind will come from the east; it will dry up his springs, and his wells will run dry. The wind will come to plunder his treasury, robbing it of every precious thing. Samaria will be punished because she has rebelled against her God. Her people will fall by the sword; even her little ones will be dashed to pieces and her pregnant women split open.