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.