¹⁶ The Israelites are stubborn,^(A)
    like a stubborn heifer.^(B)
How then can the Lord pasture them
    like lambs^(C) in a meadow?

¹⁷ Ephraim is joined to idols;
    leave him alone!

¹⁶ The people of Samaria^(A) must bear their guilt,^(B)
    because they have rebelled^(C) against their God.
They will fall by the sword;^(D)
    their little ones will be dashed^(E) to the ground,
    their pregnant women^(F) ripped open.”^[a]