7. The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have come; Israel knows! The prophet is a fool, the man of the spirit is acting like a madman. Because of the greatness of your sin, your hostility is great.
8. The prophet keeps watch over Ephraim for my God; the snare of a fowler is on all his ways, and hostility in the house of his God.
9. They deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; he will remember their sin, he will punish their sins.
10. Like the grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like early ripened fruit on the fig tree in the first season, I saw your ancestors. They themselves came to Baal Peor, and they consecrated themselves to shame. And they became detestable things, like the thing they love.
11. Ephraim’s glory is like a bird; it will fly away— no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.
12. Even though they bring up their children, I will bereave them before maturity. Woe to them indeed, when I depart from them!
13. Ephraim, as I see it, is like a palm in a meadow; but Ephraim must bring out his children to the slayer.
14. Give them, O Yahweh— what will you give them? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
15. Every evil of theirs began at Gilgal, so I began to hate them there; because of the evil of their deeds I will drive them out from my house. I will love them no more; all their officials are rebels.