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.
6. War will sweep through their cities and break down the city gates. It will destroy my people because they do what they themselves think best.
7. They insist on turning away from me. They will cry out because of the yoke that is on them, but no one will lift it from them.
8. “How can I give you up, Israel?How can I abandon you?Could I ever destroy you as I did Admah,or treat you as I did Zeboiim?My heart will not let me do it!My love for you is too strong.
9. I will not punish you in my anger;I will not destroy Israel again.For I am God and not a human being.I, the Holy One, am with you.I will not come to you in anger.