[1] "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. [2] The more I called them, the farther they went away. They sacrificed to other gods-the Baals, and they burned incense to idols. [3] I was the one who taught the people of Ephraim to walk. I took them by the hand. But they didn't realize that I had healed them. [4] I led them with cords of human kindness, with ropes of love. I removed the yokes from their necks. I bent down and fed them. [5] "They will not return to Egypt. Instead, Assyria will rule them because they have refused to return to me. [6] War will sweep through their cities, demolish their city gates, and put an end to their plans. [7] My people are determined to turn away from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will not pardon them. [8] "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboim? I have changed my mind. I am deeply moved. [9] I will not act on my burning anger. I will not destroy Ephraim again. I am God, not a human. I am the Holy One among you, and I will not come to you in anger. [10] "My people will follow me when I roar like a lion. When I roar, my children will come trembling from the west. [11] They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their own homes," declares the LORD. [12] "Ephraim surrounds me with lies. The nation of Israel surrounds me with deceit." Judah rebels against God, against the Holy One who is faithful.
