1“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called My son out of Egypt. 2But the more I called them, the more they went from Me; they sacrificed to Baalim (false gods), and burned incense to carved images. 3I taught Ephraim how to walk, taking them (the Ephraimites) by their hands; but they failed to realize that it was I Who healed hem. 4I drew (led) them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love; and I was to them as one who lifts a child; and I bent down to feed him. 5But since My people refused to return to Me, they will return to Egypt; and will serve Assyria, because of their rebelliousness. 6And the sword shall rage in Israel’s cities, and shall devour their false prophets. 7My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they may call Me the Most High God, none truly honor Me.

8“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you as Admah? How shall I make you like Zeboim? (Admah and Zeboim were cities of the plain, destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen.14:8))

“My heart is torn within Me; My compassions overflow. 9I will not carry out the fierceness of My anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, the Holy One in your midst, and not man; I will not enter the city to destroy it. 10For someday they shall seek and follow the LORD; I, the LORD, shall roar like a lion; when I shall roar, the children will return, trembling, from the west. 11They shall come trembling out of Egypt like sparrows, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria, and I will settle them in their homes,” says the LORD.

12“Ephraim surrounds Me with lies; Israel with deceit, but Judah still obeys God, and is faithful to the Holy One.”