Study Desk

When Ephraim spoke,^(a) there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel.^(b) But he incurred guilt through Baal^(c) and died.

Now they continue to sin and make themselves a cast image,^(d) idols skillfully made from their silver,^(e) all of them the work of craftsmen.^(f) People say about them, "Let the men who sacrifice^[a] kiss the calves."^(g)

Therefore, they will be like the morning mist,^(h) like the early dew that vanishes, like chaff blown from a threshing floor,⁽ⁱ⁾ or like smoke from a window.^(j)

I have been Yahweh your God^(k) ever since^[b] the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me,^(l) and no Savior exists besides Me.^(m)

I knew^[c] you in the wilderness,⁽ⁿ⁾ in the land of drought.

When they had pasture, they became satisfied;^(o) they were satisfied, and their hearts became proud.^(p) Therefore they forgot Me.^(q)

So I will be like a lion^(r) to them; I will lurk like a leopard^(s) on the path.

I will attack them like a bear robbed of her cubs and tear open the rib cage over their hearts. I will devour them there like a lioness,^(t) like a wild beast that would rip them open.

I will destroy you, Israel; you have no help but Me.^[d](u)

Where now is your king,^[e](v) that he may save you in all your cities, and the^[f] rulers^[g](w) you demanded, saying, "Give me a king and leaders"?

I give you a king in My anger^(x) and take away a king in My wrath.^(y)

Ephraim's guilt is preserved; his sin is stored up.^(z)

Labor pains come on him.^(aa) He is not a wise son;^(ab) when the time comes, he will not be born.^[h](ac)

I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem^[i] them from death.^(ad) Death, where are your barbs? Sheol, where is your sting?^(ae) Compassion is hidden from My eyes.^(af)

Although he flourishes among his brothers,^[j](ag) an east wind will come,^(ah) a wind from the Lord rising up from the desert. His water source will fail, and his spring will run dry.^(ai) The wind^[k] will plunder the treasury^(aj) of every precious item.

^[l]Samaria^(ak) will bear her guilt^(al) because she has rebelled against her God.^(am) They will fall by the sword;^(an) their little ones will be dashed to pieces,^(ao) and their pregnant women ripped open.^(ap)