7The days of judgment are coming, the days of reckoning have come; Israel shall know this all too well: because her sins are so many and her hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac. 8The prophet is a watchman over Ephraim for my God; but they lay traps along all paths of the prophet and he faces hatred in the house of his God. 9They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah; therefore, He will remember their iniquity, He will judge and punish their sins.

10 When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers (ancestors) as the first-ripe in the fig tree at her first time; but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves to that shameful idol; and their abominations were as vile as the idols they loved. 11As for Ephraim, his glory shall fly away like a bird, no birth, no pregnancy, no conception. 12Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that none shall be left; yea, woe to them when I depart from them! 13 I have watched Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place, but Ephraim shall bring out his children to the murderer. 14Give them, O LORD - what will You give? Give them a miscarrying wombs and dry breasts. 15Because all their wickedness in Gilgal; I hated them there; for their wicked doings I will drive them out of My house, I will love them no more; all their princes are rebellious. 16Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit; yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb. 17My (Hosea’s) God will reject them, because they did not hearken unto Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.