1 When Israel was a child,I loved him, and I calledmy son out of Egypt.
2 But as the saying goes,“The more they were called,the more they rebelled.”They never stopped offeringincense and sacrificesto the idols of Baal.
3 I took Israel by the armand taught them to walk.But they would not admitthat I was the onewho had healed them.
4 I led them with kindnessand with love,not with ropes.I held them close to me;I bent down to feed them.
5 But they rejected me,and so must return to Egypt;now Assyria will rule them.
6 War will visit their cities,and their plans will fail.