6. For even if they flee from devastation,Egypt will gather them, and Memphis will bury them. Thistles will take possession of their precious silver;thorns will invade their tents.
7. The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have come. Let Israel recognize it!The prophet is a fool, and the inspired man is insane, because of the magnitudeof your guilt and hostility.
8. Ephraim’s watchman is with my God.The prophet encounters a fowler’s snareon all his ways. Hostility is in the house of his God!
9. They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their guilt;He will punish their sins.
10. I discovered Israellike grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fatherslike the first fruit of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, consecrated themselves to Shame, and became detestable, like the thing they loved.
11. Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird: no birth, no gestation, no conception.
12. Even if they raise children,I will bereave them of each one.Yes, woe to them when I depart from them!
13. I have seen Ephraim like Tyre, planted in a meadow,so Ephraim will bring out his childrento the executioner.
14. Give them, Lord —What should You give?Give them a womb that miscarriesand breasts that are dry!
15. All their evil appears at Gilgal, for there I came to hate them.I will drive them from My housebecause of their evil, wicked actions. I will no longer love them;all their leaders are rebellious.
16. Ephraim is struck down;their roots are withered;they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children,I will kill the precious offspring of their wombs.
17. My God will reject thembecause they have not listened to Him; they will become wanderers among the nations.