[1] "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. [2] But when I called the people of Israel, they went away from me. They offered sacrifices to the Baals and burned incense to the idols. [3] It was I who taught Israel to walk, and I took them by the arms, but they did not understand that I had healed them. [4] I led them with cords of human kindness, with ropes of love. I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down and fed them. [5] "The Israelites will become captives again, as they were in Egypt, and Assyria will become their king, because they refuse to turn back to God. [6] War will sweep through their cities and will destroy them and kill them because of their wicked plans. [7] My people have made up their minds to turn away from me. The prophets call them to turn to me, but none of them honors me at all. [8] "Israel, how can I give you up? How can I give you away, Israel? I don't want to make you like Admah or treat you like Zeboiim. My heart beats for you, and my love for you stirs up my pity. [9] I won't punish you in my anger, and I won't destroy Israel again. I am God and not a human; I am the Holy One, and I am among you. I will not come against you in anger. [10] They will go after the LORD, and he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will hurry to him from the west. [11] They will come swiftly like birds from Egypt and like doves from Assyria. I will settle them again in their homes," says the LORD. [12] Israel has surrounded me with lies; the people have made evil plans. And Judah turns against God, the faithful Holy One.
