The Fertility Worshipers Will Become Infertile

11 Ephraim will be like a bird;

what they value will fly away.

They will not bear children –

they will not enjoy pregnancy –

they will not even conceive!

12 Even if they raise their children,

I will take away every last one of them.

Woe to them!

For I will turn away from them.

13 Just as lion cubs are born predators,

so Ephraim will bear his sons for slaughter.

14 Give them, O Lord –

what will you give them?

Give them wombs that miscarry,

and breasts that cannot nurse!

15 Because of all their evil in Gilgal,

I hate them there.

On account of their evil deeds,

I will drive them out of my land.

I will no longer love them;

all their rulers are rebels.

16 Ephraim will be struck down –

their root will be dried up;

they will not yield any fruit.

Even if they do bear children,

I will kill their precious offspring.

17 My God will reject them,

for they have not obeyed him;

so they will be fugitives among the nations.

10 Israel was a fertile vine

that yielded fruit.

As his fruit multiplied,

he multiplied altars to Baal.

As his land prospered,

they adorned the fertility pillars.

2 Their heart is slipping;

soon they will be punished for their guilt.

The Lord will break their altars;

he will completely destroy their fertility pillars.