1 W hen Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.

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

2 T he more they called them, The more they went from them; They kept sacrificing to the Baals And burning incense to idols.

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 Y et it is I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in My arms; But they did not know that I healed 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 led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love, And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; And I bent down and 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 T hey will not return to the land of Egypt; But Assyria—he will be their king Because they refused to return to Me.

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

6 T he sword will whirl against their cities, And will demolish their gate bars And consume them because of their counsels.

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

7 S o My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call them to the One on high, None at all exalts Him.

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 H ow can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled.

“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 My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath.

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 will walk after the Lord, He will roar like a lion; Indeed He will roar And His sons will 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 T hey will come trembling like birds from Egypt And like doves from the land of Assyria; And I will settle them in their houses, declares 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 surrounds Me with lies And the house of Israel with deceit; Judah is also unruly against God, Even against the Holy One who is faithful.

“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.”