1 ¶ When Israel was a boy, I loved him and called my son out of Egypt.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him. And I called My son out of Egypt.

2 A s they called them, so they went from them; they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

The more I called them, the more they went from Me. They kept giving gifts in worship to the Baals and burning special perfume to false gods.

3 E ven with all this I guided the feet of this same Ephraim, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I cared for them.

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk. I took them in My arms. But they did not know that I healed them.

4 I drew them with human cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those that raise the yoke from upon their cheeks, and I fed them.

I led them with ropes of human kindness, with ties of love. I lifted the load from their neck and went down to feed them.

5 H e shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king because they refused to be converted.

“They will not return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria will be their king, because they would not return to Me.

6 A nd the sword shall fall upon his cities and shall consume his villages and devour them because of their own counsels.

The sword will come upon their cities and destroy their gates. And it will destroy them because of their plans.

7 M eanwhile, my people adhere to the rebellion against me though they call unto me upon High; absolutely none at all wish to exalt me.

My people are always turning from Me. Even when those who speak for the Lord call them to the Most High, no one honors Him.

8 ¶ How must I leave thee, Ephraim? how shall I give thee up, Israel? how could I make thee as Admah? nor set thee as Zeboim? my heart churns within me; all my compassion is inflamed.

“How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I give you up, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart will not let Me do it. I love you very much.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of my anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee; and I will not enter into the city.

I will not do anything in My burning anger. I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man. I am the Holy One among you, and I will not come in anger.

10 T hey shall walk after the LORD; he shall roar like a lion; when he shall roar, then the sons shall come trembling from the west.

They will follow the Lord, and He will make noise like a lion. Yes, He will make noise like a lion, and His children will come from the west shaking with fear.

11 A s a bird they shall move speedily out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

They will come shaking like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria. And I will return them to their homes,” says the Lord. Israel and Judah Are Judged

12 E phraim compasses me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet rules with God and is faithful with the saints.

“The lies of Ephraim and the lies of the people of Israel are all around Me. And Judah will not obey God, the One Who is holy and faithful.”