7 And I will be like a lion to them;

I lie in wait beside the way, like a leopard.

8 I will attack them like a bear robbed of her offspring,

and I will tear open the covering of their heart;

there I will devour them like a lion,

like an animal of the field would mutilate them.

9 I will destroy you,e O Israel;

who will help you?f

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⌋.g

14 Should I redeem them from ⌊the power⌋h of Sheol? i

Should I deliver them from death?

Where are your plagues, O Death?

Where is your destruction, O Sheol?j

Compassion is hidden from my eyes.

15 Although he may flourish among reeds,k

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,l

every object of desire.

16m Samaria will be guilty,

because she has rebelled against her God;

they will fall by the sword,

their children will be dashed to pieces,

and their pregnant women will be ripped open.