1 When Ephraim spoke, trembling,He exalted himself in Israel;But when he offended through Baal worship, he died.
2 Now they sin more and more,And have made for themselves molded images,Idols of their silver, according to their skill;All of it is the work of craftsmen.They say of them,“Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!”
3 Therefore they shall be like the morning cloudAnd like the early dew that passes away,Like chaff blown off from a threshing floorAnd like smoke from a chimney.
4 “Yet I am the Lord your GodEver since the land of Egypt,And you shall know no God but Me;For there is no savior besides Me.
5 I knew you in the wilderness,In the land of great drought.
6 When they had pasture, they were filled;They were filled and their heart was exalted;Therefore they forgot Me.
7 “So I will be to them like a lion;Like a leopard by the road I will lurk;