Hosea 9:11–16

Ephraim is fickle and scattered, like a flock of blackbirds,

their beauty dissipated in confusion and clamor,

Frenetic and noisy, frigid and barren,

and nothing to show for it—neither conception nor childbirth.

Even if they did give birth, I’d declare them

unfit parents and take away their children!

Yes indeed—a black day for them

when I turn my back and walk off!

I see Ephraim letting his children run wild.

He might just as well take them and kill them outright!”

14  Give it to them, God! But what?

Give them a dried-up womb and shriveled breasts.

15–16  “All their evil came out into the open

at the pagan shrine at Gilgal. Oh, how I hated them there!

Because of their evil practices,

I’ll kick them off my land.

I’m wasting no more love on them.

Their leaders are a bunch of rebellious adolescents.

Ephraim is hit hard—

roots withered, no more fruit.

Even if by some miracle they had children,

the dear babies wouldn’t live—I’d make sure of that!”