Then Israel was a child I loved him as a son and Wrought him out of Egypt
2 But the more I called to him, the more he rebelled, sacrificing to Baal and burning incense to idols.
3 I trained him from infancy; I taught him to walk, I held him in My arms. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who raised him.
4 As a man would lead his favorite ox, so I led Israel with My ropes of love. I loosened his muzzle so he could eat. I myself have stooped and fed him.
5 But My people shall return to Egypt and Assyria because they won’t return to Me.
6 War will swirl through their cities; their enemies will crash through their gates and trap them in their own fortresses.
7 For My people are determined to desert Me. And so I have sentenced them to slavery, and no one shall set them free.
8 Oh, how can I give you up, My Ephraim? How can I let you go? How can I forsake you like Admah and Zeboiim? My heart cries out within Me; how I long to help you!
9 No, I will not punish you as much as My fierce anger tells Me to. This is the last time I will destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man; I am the Holy One living among you and I did not come to destroy.
10 For the people shall walk after the Lord. I shall roar as a lion (at their enemies) and My people shall return trembling from the west.
11 Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt -like doves flying from Assyria. And I will bring them home again; it is a promise from the Lord.
12 Israel surrounds Me with lies and deceit; but Judah still trusts in God and is faithful to the Holy One.
