1. When Israel was a child,I loved him, and I calledmy son out of Egypt.
2. But as the saying goes,“The more they were called,the more they rebelled.”They never stopped offeringincense and sacrificesto the idols of Baal.
3. I took Israel by the armand taught them to walk.But they would not admitthat I was the onewho had healed them.
4. I led them with kindnessand with love,not with ropes.I held them close to me;I bent down to feed them.
5. But they trusted Egyptinstead of returning to me;now Assyria will rule them.