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

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

2 T he 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.

The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

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

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk; I took them on my arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

4 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.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that lift up the yoke on their jaws; and I laid food before them.

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

They shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to me.

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

And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

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

And my people are bent on backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him.

8 “ 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.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I cast thee off, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboiim? my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together.

9 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.

I will not execute the fierceness of mine 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 come in wrath.

10 T hey 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.

They shall walk after Jehovah, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children shall come trembling from the west.

11 T hey 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

They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will make them to dwell in their houses, saith Jehovah.

12 “ 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.”

Ephraim compasseth me about with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.