Give them, O Lord— what wilt thou give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never gave suck!’
I think that in view of the present distress it is well for a person to remain as he is.
Alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! For great distress shall be upon the earth and wrath upon this people;
And alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days!
Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit. Even though they bring forth, I will slay their beloved children.
Ephraim's sons, as I have seen, are destined for a prey; Ephraim must lead forth his sons to slaughter.
Ephraim's glory shall fly away like a bird— no birth, no pregnancy, no conception!
Their bull breeds without fail; their cow calves, and does not cast her calf.
None shall cast her young or be barren in your land; I will fulfil the number of your days.
Cursed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock.