The mighty lion ¹  perishes ²  for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness ³  are scattered.

Can you lead out the constellations ¹  in their seasons, or guide the Bear with its cubs? ² 

Just as lion cubs are born predators, ¹  so Ephraim will bear his sons for slaughter.

The Babylonians are all like lions roaring for prey. They are like lion cubs growling for something to eat. ¹ 

and say: “‘What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay among young lions; ¹  she reared her cubs.

She reared one of her cubs; he became a young lion. He learned to tear prey; he devoured people. ¹ 

It is better for a person to meet ¹  a mother bear being robbed of her cubs, than ²  to encounter ³  a fool in his folly. ⁴ 

“‘When she realized that she waited in vain, her hope was lost. She took another of her cubs ¹  and made him a young lion.

I will attack them like a bear robbed of her cubs – I will rip open their chests. I will devour them there like a lion – like a wild animal would tear them apart.

The lion tore apart as much prey as his cubs needed ¹  and strangled prey to provide food ²  for his lionesses; he filled ³  his lairs with prey and his dens with torn flesh.

Hushai went on to say, “You know your father and his men – they are soldiers and are as dangerous as a bear out in the wild that has been robbed of her cubs. ¹  Your father is an experienced soldier; he will not stay overnight with the army.