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

¶ When Israel was a boy, 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.

As they called them, so they went from them; they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to 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.

Even with all this I guided the feet of this same Ephraim, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I cared for 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 human cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those that raise the yoke from upon their cheeks, and I fed them.

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

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king because they refused to be converted.

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 fall upon his cities and shall consume his villages and devour them because of their own counsels.

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

Meanwhile, my people adhere to the rebellion against me though they call unto me upon High; absolutely none at all wish to exalt me.

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 must I leave thee, Ephraim? how shall I give thee up, Israel? how could I make thee as Admah? nor set thee as Zeboim? my heart churns within me; all my compassion is inflamed.

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 return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee; and I will not 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; he shall roar like a lion; when he shall roar, then the sons shall 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.

As a bird they shall move speedily out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will place them in their houses, saith 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 compasses me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet rules with God and is faithful with the saints.