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and out of Egypt I called My son.
2 But the more I called Israel,
the further they went from Me.
They kept sacrificing to the Baals
and burning incense to idols.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them in My arms;
but they did not realise
that it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
I was to them like one
who lifted the yoke from their neck;
I bent down to them to feed them.
5 “Israel will return to the land of Egypt
and Assyria will be his king,
because they refused to repent.
6 The sword will slash through his cities;
it will devour and destroy the bars of his gates,
because of their schemes.
7 My people are bent on turning away from Me.
But even if they call to the Most High,
He will not exalt them at all.
8 “How can I give you up, O 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 churns within Me;
all my compassion is stirred.
9 I will not carry out the fullness of My fierce anger;
I will not again destroy 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 the land of Assyria.
Then I will settle them in their homes,”
declares the Lord.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
the house of Israel with deceit.
But Judah still walks with God,
and is faithful to the Holy One.