1When the words of my law came from Ephraim, he was lifted up in Israel; but when he did evil through the Baal, death overtook him.
2And now their sins are increased; they have made themselves a metal image, false gods from their silver, after their designs, all of them the work of the metal-workers; they say of them, Let them give offerings, let men give kisses to the oxen.
3So they will be like the morning cloud, like the dew which goes early away, like the dust of the grain which the wind is driving out of the crushing-floor, like smoke going up from the fireplace.
4But I am the Lord your God, from the land of Egypt; you have knowledge of no other God and there is no saviour but me.
5I had knowledge of you in the waste land where no water was.
6When I gave them food they were full, and their hearts were full of pride, and they did not keep me in mind.
7So I will be like a lion to them; as a cruel beast I will keep watch by the road;