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.

They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved 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 by his arms; but they didn’t know 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 ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.

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

“They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

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

The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.

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.

My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.

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 can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

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 my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One among you; 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 will walk after Yahweh, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will 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 will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says Yahweh.

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 surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.