1 The Lord says,“When Israel was a child, I loved himand called him out of Egypt as my son.
2 But the more I called to him,the more he turned away from me.My people sacrificed to Baal;they burned incense to idols.
3 Yet I was the one who taught Israel to walk.I took my people up in my arms,but they did not acknowledge that I took care of them.
4 I drew them to me with affection and love.I picked them up and held them to my cheek;I bent down to them and fed them.
5 “They refuse to return to me, and so they must return to Egypt, and Assyria will rule them.
6 War will sweep through their cities and break down the city gates. It will destroy my people because they do what they themselves think best.