1
When Israel was a youth I loved him, And aout of Egypt I bcalled My son.
2
The more athey called them, The more they went from them; They kept bsacrificing to the Baals And cburning incense to idols.
3
Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk, I atook them in My arms; But they did not know that I bhealed them.
4
I aled them with cords of a man, with bonds of love, And bI became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; And I bent down and cfed them.
5
They will not return to the land of Egypt; But Assyria--he will be their king Because they arefused to return to Me.
6
The asword will whirl against their cities, And will demolish their gate bars And bconsume them because of their ccounsels.
7
So My people are bent on aturning from Me. Though they call them to the One on high, None at all exalts Him.
8
aHow can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like bAdmah? How can I treat you like bZeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled.
9
I will anot execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim bagain. For cI am God and not man, the dHoly One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath.
10
They will awalk after the Lord, He will broar like a lion; Indeed He will roar And His sons will come ctrembling from the west.
11
They will come trembling like birds from aEgypt And like bdoves from the land of aAssyria; And I will csettle them in their houses, declares the Lord.
12
Ephraim surrounds Me with alies And the house of Israel with deceit; Judah is also unruly against God, Even against the Holy One who is faithful.