Contemporary English Version God's Love for His PeopleI loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. 2But as the saying goes, “The more they were called, the more they rebelled.”+ They never stopped offering incense and sacrifices to the idols of Baal. 3I took Israel by the arm and taught them to walk. But they would not admit that I was the one who had healed them. 4I led them with kindness and with love, not with ropes. I held them close to me;+ I bent down to feed them. 5But they rejected me, and so must return to Egypt; now Assyria will rule them. 6War will visit their cities, and their plans will fail.+ 7My people are determined to reject me for a god they think is stronger, but he can't help.+ I can't give you up. How could I possibly destroy you as I did the towns of Admah and Zeboiim?+ I just can't do it. My feelings for you are much too strong. 9Israel, I won't lose my temper and destroy you again. I am the Holy God— not merely some human, and I won't stay angry. 10I, the Lord, will roar like a lion, and my children will return, trembling from the west. 11They will come back, fluttering like birds from Egypt or like doves from Assyria. Then I will bring them back to their homes. I, the Lord, have spoken! Israel and Judah Compared12Israel is deceitful to me, their loyal and holy God; they surround me with lies, and Judah worships other gods.+ Footnotes: Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®) © 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Contemporary English Version 2nd Edition (CEV®) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). Learn more at www.cev.bible. Discover .BIBLE resources for your ministry at www.get.bible/cev Bible Hub |