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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.