Common English Bible CEB
English Standard Version ESV
1 When Ephraim spoke, there was excitement; he was praised in Israel; but he became guilty through Baal and died.
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When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel, but he incurred guilt through Baal and died.
2 And now they keep on sinning; they have made metal images, idols of silver, as a result of their skill, all of them the work of craftsmen. "Sacrifice to these," they say. People are kissing calves!
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And now they sin more and more, and make for themselves metal images, idols skillfully made of their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of them, "Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!"
3 Therefore, they will be like the morning mist, like the dew that passes away early, like husks that swirl from the threshing floor, or like smoke from a window.
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Therefore they shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that goes early away, like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or like smoke from a window.
4 Yet I have been the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt; and you will know no other gods but me; there is no savior besides me.
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But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.
5 I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of no rain.
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It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought;
6 When I fed them, they were satisfied; and their hearts became proud; therefore, they forgot me.
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but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me.
7 So I will become like a lion to them; like a leopard I will lurk beside the road.
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So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
8 I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs, and I will tear open the covering of their hearts. I will devour them like a lion, as a wild animal would eat them.
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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.
9 I will destroy you, Israel; for you didn't realize that I could help you.
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He destroys you, O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper.
10 Where is your king now, so that he can save you? Where in all your cities are your judges, of whom you said, "Give me a king and rulers"?
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Where now is your king, to save you in all your cities? Where are all your rulers-- those of whom you said, "Give me a king and princes"?
11 I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath.
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I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath.
12 Ephraim's wickedness is bound up; his sin is kept in store.
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The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is kept in store.
13 The pangs of a woman in childbirth come for him, but he is not aware of the time to be born; for at the proper time he doesn't present himself at the mouth of the womb.
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The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son, for at the right time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb.
14 Will I ransom them from the power of the grave Will I redeem them from death's hold? Death, where are your diseases? Grave, where is your destruction? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
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Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
15 Although he may flourish among rushes, the east wind will come— the breath of God rising from the wilderness; and his spring will dry up; his fountain will be dried up. It will strip his household of every cherished possession.
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Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the LORD, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing.
16 Samaria will be desolate, because she has rebelled against her God; by the sword they will fall— their babies will be dashed, and their pregnant women ripped open.
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Samaria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword; their little ones shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.