¹³ The pains of a woman in childbirth are coming on for him [to be born]; but he is an unwise son, for now when it is time [to be born], he comes not to the place where [unborn] children break forth [he needs new birth but makes no effort to acquire it].

¹⁴ Should I ransom them from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead)? Should I redeem them from death? ^[a]O death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your destruction? Relenting and compassion are hidden from My eyes.^(A)

¹⁵ For though among his brethren [his fellow tribes] he may be fruitful, an east wind [Assyria] will come, the breath of the Lord rising from the desert; and Ephraim’s spring shall become dry and his fountain be dried up. [Assyria] shall plunder his treasury of every precious vessel.