18 The vav consecutive + preterite form וָאֱהִי (va’ehi) introduces a consequential or result clause; cf. “Therefore”; “That is why.”
19 Heb “So I will be like a lion to them” (so ); “I will come upon them like a lion.”

In other versions

So I am to them like a lion;

like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.

I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs;

I will tear open their breast,

and there I will devour them like a lion,

as a wild beast would rip them open.

So I will be like a lion to them,

like a leopard I will lurk by the path.

Like a bear robbed of her cubs,

I will attack them and rip them open;

like a lion I will devour them—

a wild animal will tear them apart.

So I will be like a lion to them;

I will lurk like a leopard on the path.

I will attack them

like a bear robbed of her cubs

and tear open the rib cage over their hearts.

I will devour them there like a lioness,

like a wild beast that would rip them open.

So now I will attack you like a lion,

like a leopard that lurks along the road.

Like a bear whose cubs have been taken away,

I will tear out your heart.

I will devour you like a hungry lioness

and mangle you like a wild animal.

And I will be like a lion to them;

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

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.

Therefore I will be unto them as a lion:

As a leopard by the way will I observe them:

I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps,

And will rend the caul of their heart,

And there will I devour them like a lion:

The wild beast shall tear them.

Public Domain