God is speaking.

## When Ephraim spoke ##

"Ephraim" in this verse means the tribe of Ephraim, which was one of the 10 tribes located in the northern part of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

## there was trembling ##

AT: "there was trembling among the people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

## He exalted himself in Israel ##

"He" refers to the tribe of Ephraim, which became a very influential tribe in the northern kingdom.

## but he became guilty because of Baal worship, and he died. ##

This means that the tribe of Ephraim began worshiping Baal. (UDB) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

## Now they sin more and more. ##

"They" means not just the tribe of Ephraim, but the entire nation of Israel (who were all following Ephraim's example).

## These men who sacrifice kiss calves ##

Part of Baal worship is kissing the idol which was an image of a calf. (UDB) (see: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])