1 W hen Israel was a child, then I loved him and called My son out of Egypt.

2 T he more called to them, the more they went from them; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to the graven images.

3 Y et I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms or taking them up in My arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love, and I was to them as one who lifts up and eases the yoke over their cheeks, and I bent down to them and gently laid food before them.

5 T hey shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be their king because they refused to return to Me.

6 A nd the sword shall rage against and fall upon their cities and shall consume the bars of their gates and shall make an end, because of their own counsels and devices.

7 M y people are bent on backsliding from Me; though call them to Him Who is on high, none at all will exalt Him or lift himself up.

8 H ow can I give you up, O Ephraim! How can I surrender you and cast you off, O Israel! How can I make you as Admah or how can I treat you as Zeboiim! My heart recoils within Me; My compassions are kindled together.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not bring back Ephraim to nothing or again destroy him. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in the midst of you, and I will not come in wrath or enter into the city.

10 T hey shall walk after the Lord, Who will roar like a lion; He Himself will roar and sons shall come trembling and eagerly from the west.

11 T hey shall come trembling but hurriedly like a bird out of Egypt and like a dove out of the land of Assyria, and I will cause them to dwell in their houses, says the Lord.

12 E phraim surrounds Me with lies and the house of Israel with deceit, and Judah is not yet steadfast with God, with the faithful Holy One.