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.

Israel’s Sin

12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,c

Israel with deceit.

And Judah is unruly against God,

even against the faithfuld Holy One.b e