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

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.

The more called to them, the more they went from them; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to the graven images.

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

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms or taking them up in My arms, but they did not 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.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love, and I was to them as one who lifts up and eases the yoke over their cheeks, and I bent down to them and gently laid food before them.

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

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

And the sword shall rage against and fall upon their cities and shall consume the bars of their gates and shall make an end, because of their own counsels and devices.

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

My people are bent on backsliding from Me; though call them to Him Who is on high, none at all will exalt Him or lift himself up.

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.

How can I give you up, O Ephraim! How can I surrender you and cast you off, O Israel! How can I make you as Admah or how can I treat you as Zeboiim! My heart recoils within Me; My compassions are kindled together.

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.

I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not bring back Ephraim to nothing or again destroy him. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in the midst of you, and I will not come in wrath or enter into the city.

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.

They shall walk after the Lord, Who will roar like a lion; He Himself will roar and sons shall come trembling and eagerly 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.

They shall come trembling but hurriedly like a bird out of Egypt and like a dove out of the land of Assyria, and I will cause them to dwell in their houses, says the Lord.

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.

Ephraim surrounds Me with lies and the house of Israel with deceit, and Judah is not yet steadfast with God, with the faithful Holy One.