1When Israel was a boy, I loved him;
I called my son out of Egypt; 2but the more I called, the further they went from me;
they must needs sacrifice to the Baalim
and burn offerings before carved images. 3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
I who had taken them in my arms; 4but they did not know that I harnessed them in leading-strings leading-strings: or cords of leather
and led them with bonds of love bonds of love: or reins of hide—
that I had lifted them like a little child I had ... child: prob. rdg, Heb like those who lift up a yoke to my cheek,
that I had bent down to feed them. 5Back they shall go to Egypt,
the Assyrian shall be their king;
for they have refused to return to me. 6The sword shall be swung over their blood-spattered altars
and put an end to their prattling priests
and devour my people in return for all their schemings, 7bent on rebellion as they are.
Though they call on their high god,
even then he will not reinstate them. 8How can I give you up, Ephraim,
how surrender you, Israel?
How can I make you like Admah
or treat you as Zeboyim?
My heart is changed within me,
my remorse kindles already. 9I will not let loose my fury,
I will not turn round and destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst;
I will not come with threats 10prob. rdg, Heb adds: they shall go after the LORD like a roaring lion.
No; when I roar, I who am God,
my sons shall come with speed out of the west. 11They will come speedily, flying like birds out of Egypt,
like pigeons from Assyria,
and I will settle them in their own homes.
This is the very word of the LORD.
Both Israel & Judah are condemned.Hs.11.12-12.6
12Ephraim besets me with treachery,
the house of Israel besets me with deceit;
and Judah is still restive under God,
still loyal to the idols he counts holy.