| | 1 | "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. | |
| | 2 | But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. | |
| | 3 | It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. | |
| | 4 | I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. | |
| | 5 | "Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? | |
| | 6 | Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans. | |
| | 7 | My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them. | |
| | 8 | "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. | |
| | 9 | I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man--the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath. | |
| | 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 birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes," declares the LORD. | |
| | 12 | Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One. | |
