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

2 T hey called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.

3 Y et I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by his arms; but they didn’t know that I healed them.

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