1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from them; they sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to the carved images.

As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3 I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they did not realize it was I who healed them.

I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I was to them like one who lifts the yoke from their necks, and I bent down to feed them.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

5 They will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria will rule over them because they refused to return to Me.

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

6 A sword will whirl through their cities; it will destroy their gates and consume them because of their plans.

And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

7 My people are determined to turn from Me. Even though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them together.

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I surrender you, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within Me; My compassion grows warm and tender.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

9 I will not carry out My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man—the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

10 They will follow the LORD, and He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.

They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from the land of Assyria. I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.

They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.