1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more I called them,the further they went from me;they kept sacrificing to the Baals,and they burned incense to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;I took them up in my arms,but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led themwith bands of human kindness,with cords of love.I treated them like thosewho lift infants to their cheeks;I bent down to them and fed them.
5 They will return to the land of Egypt,and Assyria will be their king,because they have refused to return to me.
6 The sword will strike wildly in their cities;it will consume the bars of their gatesand will take everything because of their schemes.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me;and though they cry out to the Most High,he will not raise them 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 treat you like Zeboiim?My heart winces within me;my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I won’t act on the heat of my anger;I won’t return to destroy Ephraim;for I am God and not a human being,the holy one in your midst;I won’t come in harsh judgment.
10 They will walk after the Lord,who roars like a lion.When he roars,his children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling like a bird,and like a dove from the land of Assyria;and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,the house of Israel with faithless acts;but Judah still walks with God,and is faithful to the holy one.