10 Like grapes in the wilderness,

I found Israel.

Like the first fruit on the fig tree,

in its first season,

I saw your ancestors.

But they came to Baal-peor,

and consecrated themselves to a thing of shame,

and became detestable like the thing they loved.

11 Ephraim’s glory shall fly away like a bird—

no birth, no pregnancy, no conception!

12 Even if they bring up children,

I will bereave them until no one is left.

Woe to them indeed

when I depart from them!

13 Once I saw Ephraim as a young palm planted in a lovely meadow,d

but now Ephraim must lead out his children for slaughter.

14 Give them, O Lord—

what will you give?

Give them a miscarrying womb

and dry breasts.

15 Every evil of theirs began at Gilgal;

there I came to hate them.

Because of the wickedness of their deeds

I will drive them out of my house.

I will love them no more;

all their officials are rebels.

16 Ephraim is stricken,

their root is dried up,

they shall bear no fruit.

Even though they give birth,

I will kill the cherished offspring of their womb.