1When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and out of Egypt I called my son.*

2The more Iy called them,

the more they went from me;z

they kept sacrificing to the Baals

and offering incense to idols.*

3Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;

I took them up in mya arms,

but they did not know that I healed them.*

4I led them with cords of human kindness,

with bands of love.

I was to them like those

who lift infants to their cheeks.b

I bent down to them and fed them.*

5They shall return to the land of Egypt,

and Assyria shall be their king,

because they have refused to return to me.*

6The sword rages in their cities;

it consumes their oracle priests

and devours because of their schemes.*

7My people are bent on turning away from me.

To the Most High they call,

but he does not raise them up at all.c^,*

8How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, O Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart recoils within me;

my compassion grows warm and tender.*

9I will not execute my fierce anger;

I will not again destroy Ephraim,

for I am God and no mortal,

the Holy One in your midst,

and I will not come in wrath.d^,*

10They shall go after the Lord,

who roars like a lion;

when he roars,

his children shall come trembling from the west.*

11They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt

and like doves from the land of Assyria,

and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.*

12eEphraim has surrounded me with lies

and the house of Israel with deceit,

but Judah still walksf with God

and is faithful to the Holy One.*