19 After I strayed,

I repented;

after I came to understand,

I beat my breast.

I was ashamed and humiliated

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

20 Is not Ephraim my dear son,

the child in whom I delight?

Though I often speak against him,

I still remember him.

Therefore my heart yearns for him;

I have great compassion for him,”

declares the Lord.

19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented;

And after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh:

I was ashamed, yea, even confounded,

Because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child?

For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still:

Therefore my bowels are troubled for him;

I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.

19 I turned away from God,

but then I was sorry.

I kicked myself for my stupidity!

I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.’

20 “Is not Israel still my son,

my darling child?” says the Lord.

“I often have to punish him,

but I still love him.

That’s why I long for him

and surely will have mercy on him.

19 Surely, after my turning, I repented;

And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh;

I was ashamed, yes, even humiliated,

Because I bore the reproach of my youth.’

20 Is Ephraim My dear son?

Is he a pleasant child?

For though I spoke against him,

I earnestly remember him still;

Therefore My heart yearns for him;

I will surely have mercy on him, says the Lord.

19 Lord, after I wandered away from you,

I changed my heart and life.

After I understood,

I beat my breast with sorrow.

I was ashamed and disgraced,

because I suffered for the foolish things I did when I was young.’

20 “You know that Israel is my dear son,

The child I love.

Yes, I often speak against Israel,

but I still remember him.

I love him very much,

and I want to comfort him,” says the Lord.

19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. 20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a darling child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearneth for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah.

19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after I knew myself, I smote upon my thigh. I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, for I bear the reproach of my youth. 20 Is Ephraim a dear son unto me? is he a child of delights? For whilst I have been speaking against him, I do constantly remember him still. Therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I will certainly have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah.

19 After I was turned around, I changed the way I thought and acted. 

After I was taught a lesson, I hung my head in shame. 

I was so ashamed and humiliated, 

because of all the stupid things I have done 

ever since I was young.’ 

20 Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? 

Even though I have often spoken against him, I still think fondly of him. 

That is why my heart longs for him, 

and I will certainly have compassion on him,” declares the Lord. 

19 After I returned, I repented;

After I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief.

I was ashamed and humiliated

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”

20 Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to Me,

a delightful child?

Whenever I speak against him,

I certainly still think about him.

Therefore, My inner being yearns for him;

I will truly have compassion on him.

This is the Lord’s declaration.

19 For after I had turned away I repented;

and after I was discovered, I struck my thigh;

I was ashamed, and I was dismayed

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”

20 Is Ephraim my dear son?

Is he the child I delight in?

As often as I speak against him,

I still remember him.

Therefore I am deeply moved for him;

I will surely have mercy on him,

says the Lord.

19 For after my turning back I repented,

and after coming to understand I struck my thigh.

I was ashamed and also humiliated,

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

20 Is Ephraim my dear son,

or the child of my delight?

For as often as I have earnestly spoken against him,

I still remember him.

Therefore my bowels are turbulent for him,

surely I will have compassion on him,” declares Yahweh.

19 After we wandered away from you,

we turned away from our sins.

After we learned our lesson,

we beat our chests in sorrow.

We were full of shame.

What we did when we were young brought dishonor on us.’

20 Aren’t the people of Ephraim my dear children?

Aren’t they the children I take delight in?

I often speak against them.

But I still remember them.

So my heart longs for them.

I love them with a tender love,”

announces the Lord.

19 ‘For after I turned back, I repented;

And after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh;

I was ashamed and also humiliated

Because I bore the reproach of my youth.’

20 “Is Ephraim My dear son?

Is he a delightful child?

Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him,

I certainly still remember him;

Therefore My heart yearns for him;

I will surely have mercy on him,” declares the Lord.