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 out of Egypt I called my son.

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.

As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baals, 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.

And I it was that taught Ephraim to walk,—He took them upon his 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 bands of a man, with cords of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I gently caused them to eat.

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

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king; for they refused to return;

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 turn about in his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour, 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.

Yea, my people are bent upon backsliding from me: though they call them to the Most High, none at all exalteth.

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 over, Ephraim? shall I deliver thee up, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my repentings 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 again destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man,—the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not come in anger.

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; he shall roar like a lion; when he shall roar, then the children shall hasten 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 hasten as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will cause 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 encompasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet walketh with God, and with the holy things of truth.