11
1 “When
Israel was a
child, then I loved
him,
and called my
son out of Egypt.
2 They
called to them,
so they went
from them.
They sacrificed
to the Baals,
and burned
incense to
engraved images.
3 Yet
I taught Ephraim
to walk.
I took them
by their arms,
but they didn’t
know that I
healed them.
4 I
drew them with
cords of a man,
with ties of love;
and I was
to them like
those who lift up
the yoke on
their necks;
and I bent
down to him
and I fed him.
5 “They won’t
return into
the land of Egypt;
but the Assyrian
will be their
king,
because they
refused to repent.
6 The
sword will fall
on their cities,
and will destroy
the bars of
their gates,
and will put
an end to
their plans.
7 My
people are determined
to turn from
me.
Though they call
to the Most High,
he certainly won’t
exalt 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 make
you like Zeboiim?
My heart is
turned within me,
my compassion is aroused.
9 I
will not execute
the fierceness of
my anger.
I will not
return to
destroy Ephraim,
for I am God,
and not man—the
Holy One among
you.
I will not
come in wrath.
10 They
will walk after
the LORD,
who will roar
like a lion;
for he will
roar, and the
children will come
trembling from the
west.
11 They
will come
trembling like a
bird out of
Egypt,
and like a
dove out of
the land of Assyria;
and I will
settle them in
their houses,”
says the LORD.
12 Ephraim surrounds me with
falsehood,
and the house of Israel with deceit.
Judah still strays from God,
and is unfaithful to the Holy One.