18. I have heard Ephraim moaning,“You disciplined me, and I have been disciplinedlike an untrained calf. Restore me, and I will return,for you, Lord, are my God.
19. After I returned, I repented;After I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”
20. Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to Me,a delightful child? Whenever I speak against him,I certainly still think about him.Therefore, My inner being yearns for him;I will truly have compassion on him. This is the Lord’s declaration.
21. Set up road markers for yourself;establish signposts!Keep the highway in mind,the way you have traveled.Return, Virgin Israel!Return to these cities of yours.
22. How long will you turn here and there,faithless daughter? For the Lord creates something new in the land —a female will shelter a man.
23. This is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “When I restore their fortunes, they will once again speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities, ‘May the Lord bless you, righteous settlement, holy mountain.’
24. Judah and all its cities will live in it together — also farmers and those who move with the flocks —
25. for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.”
26. At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been most pleasant to me.