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¹ When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.² The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Ba'als, and burning incense to idols.³ Yet it was I who taught E'phraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them.⁴ I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one, who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.⁵ They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.⁶ The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them in their fortresses.⁷ My people are bent on turning away from me; so they are appointed to the yoke, and none shall remove it.

⁸ How can I give you up, O E'phraim! How can I hand you over, O Israel! How can I make you like Admah! How can I treat you like Zeboi'im! My heart recoils within me, my compassion grows warm and tender.⁹ I will not execute my fierce anger, I will not again destroy E'phraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come to destroy.¹⁰ They shall go after the LORD, he will roar like a lion; yea, he will roar, and his sons shall come trembling from the west;¹¹ they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will return them to their homes, says the LORD.¹² E'phraim has encompassed me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah is still known by God, and is faithful to the Holy One.