God’s Continuing Love for Israel
1 “When Israelwasa child, I loved him,
# And out of EgyptI called Myson.
2 Asthey called them,
# So theywent from them;
They sacrificed to the Baals,
And burned incense to carved images.
3 “Itaught Ephraim to walk,
Taking them by their arms;
# But they did not know thatI healed them.
4 I drew them with gentle cords,
With bands of love,
# AndI was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.
# I stoopedandfed them.
5 “He shall not return to the land of Egypt;
But the Assyrian shall be his king,
Because they refused to repent.
6 And the sword shall slash in his cities,
Devour his districts,
And consumethem,
Because of their own counsels.
7 My people are bent onbacksliding from Me.
Though they call to the Most High,
None at all exaltHim.
8 “Howcan I give you up, Ephraim?
Howcan I hand you over, Israel?
# How can I make you likeAdmah?
Howcan I set you like Zeboiim?
My heart churns within Me;
My sympathy is stirred.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim.
# For IamGod, and not man,
The Holy One in your midst;
And I will not come with terror.
10 “They shall walk after theLord.
# He will roar like a lion.
When He roars,
ThenHissons shall come trembling from the west;
11 They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt,
# Like a dove from the land of Assyria.
# And I will let them dwell in their houses,”
Says theLord.
God’s Charge Against Ephraim
12 “Ephraim has encircled Me with lies,
And the house of Israel with deceit;
But Judah still walks with God,
Even with the Holy Onewhoisfaithful.