1When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
2Now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves.
3Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the dew that passes early away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
4Yet I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt; and you shall know no god but me, and besides me there is no savior.
5I did know you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted: therefore have they forgotten me.
7Therefore am I to them as a lion; as a leopard will I watch by the way;