Study Desk

"When Israel was a child,^(a) I loved^(b) him, and out of Egypt I called my son.^(c)

But the more they were called, the more they went away from me.^[a](d) They sacrificed to the Baals^(e) and they burned incense to images.^(f)

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms;^(g) but they did not realize it was I who healed^(h) them.

I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love.⁽ⁱ⁾ To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed^(j) them.^(k)

"Will they not return to Egypt^(l) and will not Assyria^(m) rule over them because they refuse to repent?⁽ⁿ⁾

A sword^(o) will flash in their cities; it will devour^(p) their false prophets and put an end to their plans.

My people are determined to turn^(q) from me.^(r) Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them.

"How can I give you up,^(s) Ephraim?^(t) How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim?^(u) My heart is changed within me; all my compassion^(v) is aroused.^(w)

I will not carry out my fierce anger,^(x) nor will I devastate^(y) Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man^(z)— the Holy One^(aa) among you. I will not come against their cities.

They will follow the Lord ; he will roar^(ab) like a lion.^(ac) When he roars, his children will come trembling^(ad) from the west.^(ae)

They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows, from Assyria,^(af) fluttering like doves.^(ag) I will settle them in their homes,"^(ah) declares the Lord .