God’s Love for Israel

11 “When Israel was a child,u I lovedv him,

and out of Egypt I called my son.w

2 But the more they were called,

the more they went away from me.a x

They sacrificed to the Baalsy

and they burned incense to images.z

3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,

taking them by the arms;a

but they did not realize

it was I who healedb them.

4 I led them with cords of human kindness,

with ties of love.c

To them I was like one who lifts

a little child to the cheek,

and I bent down to feedd them.e

5 “Will they not return to Egyptf

and will not Assyriag rule over them

because they refuse to repent?h

6 A swordi will flash in their cities;

it will devourj their false prophets

and put an end to their plans.

7 My people are determined to turnk from me.l

Even though they call me God Most High,

I will by no means exalt them.

8 “How can I give you up,m Ephraim?n

How can I hand you over, Israel?

How can I treat you like Admah?

How can I make you like Zeboyim?o

My heart is changed within me;

all my compassionp is aroused.q

9 I will not carry out my fierce anger,r

nor will I devastates Ephraim again.

For I am God, and not a mant—

the Holy Oneu among you.

I will not come against their cities.

10 They will follow the Lord;

he will roarv like a lion.w

When he roars,

his children will come tremblingx from the west.y

11 They will come from Egypt,

trembling like sparrows,

from Assyria,z fluttering like doves.a

I will settle them in their homes,”b

declares the Lord.