1 “ When Israel was a child, 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 A s they called them, So they went from them; They sacrificed to the Baals, And burned incense to carved 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 “ I taught Ephraim to walk, Taking them by their 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 drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped 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 “ He shall not return to the land of Egypt; But the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent.

“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 slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume 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 y people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt 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 “ How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred.

“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 again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror.

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 “ They shall walk after the Lord. He will roar like a lion. When He roars, Then His 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 T hey shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt, Like a dove from the land of Assyria. And I will let them dwell in their houses,” Says the Lord. God’s Charge Against Ephraim

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 “ Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, And the house of Israel with deceit; But Judah still walks with God, Even with 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.”