¹³ Pain has come to the people
    like the pain of childbirth,
but they are like a child
    who resists being born.
The moment of birth has arrived,
    but they stay in the womb!

¹⁴ “Should I ransom them from the grave^[a]?
    Should I redeem them from death?
O death, bring on your terrors!
    O grave, bring on your plagues!^[b]
    For I will not take pity on them.
¹⁵ Ephraim was the most fruitful of all his brothers,
    but the east wind—a blast from the Lord—
    will arise in the desert.
All their flowing springs will run dry,
    and all their wells will disappear.
Every precious thing they own
    will be plundered and carried away.