9. I will destroy you, O Israel; who will help you?
10. Where now is your king that he may save you? Where in all your cities are your judges, of whom you said, “Give to me a king and rulers?”
11. I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him in my wrath.
12. The sin of Ephraim is wrapped up; his sin is concealed.
13. The labor pains of childbirth come for him; he is an unwise son because at the proper time, he does not present himself at the mouth of the womb.
14. Should I redeem them from the power of Sheol? Should I deliver them from death? Where are your plagues, O Death? Where is your destruction, O Sheol? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
15. Although he may flourish among reeds, the east wind will come, a wind of Yahweh rising from the desert; his fountain will dry up, his spring will be parched. It will plunder his treasury, every object of desire.