1When Israel was a youth, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
2The more they called to them, the more they went away from them; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to the carved images.
3Yet I myself taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by his arms; but they did not know that I healed them.
4With cords of a man I drew them, with bands of love; and I became to them like those who lift a yoke off their jaws, and I bent down to him and fed him.
5He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria—he will be his king, because they refused to return.
6A sword will whirl in his cities, and it will finish off his bars and devour them, because of their own counsels.
7My people are bent on turning away from me; though they call them upward, together none of them exalts him.
8How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within me; all my compassions are kindled together.
9I will not carry out the burning of my anger; I will not turn to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.
10They will walk after Yahweh; he will roar like a lion. For he will roar, and children will come trembling from the west.
11They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt, and like a dove from the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses, declares Yahweh.
12Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.
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