1 “When Yisra’ĕl was a child, I loved him, and out of Mitsrayim I called My son.
2 “They called to them, so they went from their face. They slaughtered to the Ba‛als, and burned incense to carved images.
3 “And I taught Ephrayim to walk, taking them by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them.
4 “I drew them with ropes of man, with cords of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. And I bent down, fed them.
5 “No, let him return to the land of Mitsrayim, and let Ashshur be his sovereign, because they refused to repent!
6 “And the sword shall whirl in his cities, and it shall demolish his gate bars, and consume, because of their own counsels.
7 “My people are bent towards backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He lifts none of them up.
8 “How could I give you up, Ephrayim? How could I hand you over, Yisra’ĕl? How could I make you like Aḏmah? How could I set you like Tseḇoyim? My heart turns within Me, all My compassion is kindled.
9 “I shall not let the heat of My wrath burn, I shall not turn to destroy Ephrayim. For I am Ěl, and not man, the Set-apart One in your midst, and I shall not come in enmity.
10 “Let them follow יהוה. Like a lion He roars. When He roars, then sons shall tremble from the west.
11 “They shall tremble like a bird from Mitsrayim, and like a dove from the land of Ashshur. And I shall let them dwell in their own houses,” declares יהוה.
12 “Ephrayim has surrounded Me with lying, and the house of Yisra’ĕl with deceit. But Yehuḏah is still wandering with Ěl, and is true to the Set-apart One.”