1. When Israel was a child, I loved him,and out of Egypt I called my son.
2. The more I called them,the further they went from me;they kept sacrificing to the Baals,and they burned incense to idols.
3. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;I took them up in my arms,but they did not know that I healed them.
4. I led themwith bands of human kindness,with cords of love.I treated them like thosewho lift infants to their cheeks;I bent down to them and fed them.
5. They will return to the land of Egypt,and Assyria will be their king,because they have refused to return to me.
6. The sword will strike wildly in their cities;it will consume the bars of their gatesand will take everything because of their schemes.
7. My people are bent on turning away from me;and though they cry out to the Most High,he will not raise them up.