1. The Lord says,“When Israel was a child, I loved himand called him out of Egypt as my son.
2. But the more I called to him,the more he turned away from me.My people sacrificed to Baal;they burnt incense to idols.
3. Yet I was the one who taught Israel to walk.I took my people up in my arms,but they did not acknowledge that I took care of them.
4. I drew them to me with affection and love.I picked them up and held them to my cheek;I bent down to them and fed them.
5. “They refuse to return to me, and so they must return to Egypt, and Assyria will rule them.