Hosea 13:1-16 NET

[1] When Ephraim spoke, there was terror; he was exalted in Israel, but he became guilty by worshiping Baal and died. [2] Even now they persist in sin! They make metal images for themselves, idols that they skillfully fashion from their own silver; all of them are nothing but the work of craftsmen. There is a saying about them: "Those who sacrifice to the calf idol are calf kissers!" [3] Therefore they will disappear like the morning mist, like early morning dew that evaporates, like chaff that is blown away from a threshing floor, like smoke that disappears through an open window. [4] But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. Therefore, you must not acknowledge any God but me. Except for me there is no Savior. [5] I cared for you in the wilderness, in the dry desert where no water was. [6] When they were fed, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; as a result, they forgot me! [7] So I will pounce on them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk by the path. [8] I will attack them like a bear robbed of her cubs-I will rip open their chests. I will devour them there like a lion-like a wild animal would tear them apart. [9] I will destroy you, O Israel! Who is there to help you? [10] Where then is your king, that he may save you in all your cities? Where are your rulers for whom you asked, saying, "Give me a king and princes"? [11] I granted you a king in my anger, and I will take him away in my wrath! [12] The punishment of Ephraim has been decreed; his punishment is being stored up for the future. [13] The labor pains of a woman will overtake him, but the baby will lack wisdom; when the time arrives, he will not come out of the womb! [14] Will I deliver them from the power of Sheol? No, I will not! Will I redeem them from death? No, I will not! O Death, bring on your plagues! O Sheol, bring on your destruction! My eyes will not show any compassion! [15] Even though he flourishes like a reed plant, a scorching east wind will come, a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. As a result, his spring will dry up; his well will become dry. That wind will spoil all his delightful foods in the containers in his storehouse. [16] (14:1) Samaria will be held guilty, because she rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their infants will be dashed to the ground-their pregnant women will be ripped open.