1“When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and out of Egypt I called my son.

2But the more they were called,

the more they went away from me.^a

They sacrificed to the Baals

and they burned incense to images.

3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,

taking them by the arms;

but they did not realize

it was I who healed them.

4I led them with cords of human kindness,

with ties of love.

To them I was like one who lifts

a little child to the cheek,

and I bent down to feed them.

5“Will they not return to Egypt

and will not Assyria rule over them

because they refuse to repent?

6A sword will flash in their cities;

it will devour their false prophets

and put an end to their plans.

7My people are determined to turn from me.

Even though they call me God Most High,

I 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 Zeboyim?

My heart is changed within me;

all my compassion is aroused.

9I will not carry out my fierce anger,

nor will I devastate Ephraim again.

For I am God, and not a man—

the Holy One among you.

I will not come against their cities.

10They will follow the Lord;

he will roar like a lion.

When he roars,

his children will come trembling from the west.

11They will come from Egypt,

trembling like sparrows,

from Assyria, fluttering like doves.

I will settle them in their homes,”

declares the Lord.

12Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,

Israel with deceit.

And Judah is unruly against God,

even against the faithful Holy One.^b