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

Because Israel a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for 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.

They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.

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 have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened 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.

With cords of man I do draw them, With thick cords of love, And I am to them as a raiser up of a yoke on their jaws, And I incline unto him -- I feed.

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

He turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur -- he his king, For they have 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.

Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed -- from 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 hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.

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 do I give thee up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver thee up, O Israel? How do I make thee as Admah? Do I set thee as Zeboim? Turned in Me is My heart, kindled together have been My repentings.

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 do not the fierceness of My anger, I turn not back to destroy Ephraim, For God I, and not a man. In thy midst the Holy One, and I enter not in enmity,

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.

After Jehovah they go -- as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons 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 tremble as a sparrow out of Egypt, And as a dove out of the land of Asshur, And I have caused them to dwell in their own houses, An affirmation of 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.”

Compassed Me with feigning hath Ephraim, And with deceit the house of Israel. And Judah again is ruling with God, And with the Holy Ones faithful!