11
1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more they called them, the more they went away from them.
They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them.
4 With human cords I drew them, with bands of love.
I was to them like those who lift the yoke off their jaws, and I gently fed him.
5 He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria will be his king, because they refused to return.
6 The sword will whirl through his cities, consume his bars, and devour because of their plans.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me.
Though they call them to the Most High, no one exalts him.
8 How can I give you up, Ephraim?
How can I surrender you, Israel?
How can I make you like Admah or treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart turns within me;
all my compassion is stirred.
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim.
For I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not enter the city.
10 They will follow the LORD;
he will roar like a lion.
When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt, like a dove from the land of Assyria.
I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit.
Judah is still unruly toward God, toward the faithful Holy One.”