1. “When Israel was a child, I loved him,and I called my son out of Egypt.
2. But when I called the people of Israel,they went away from me.They offered sacrifices to the Baalsand burned incense to the idols.
3. It was I who taught Israel to walk,and I took them by the arms,but they did not understandthat I had healed them.
4. I led them with cords of human kindness,with ropes of love.I lifted the yoke from their neckand bent down and fed them.
5. “The Israelites will become captives again, as they were in Egypt,and Assyria will become their king,because they refuse to turn back to God.
6. War will sweep through their citiesand will destroy themand kill them because of their wicked plans.
7. My people have made up their mindsto turn away from me.The prophets call them to turn to me,but none of them honors me at all.
8. “Israel, how can I give you up?How can I give you away, Israel?I don’t want to make you like Admahor treat you like Zeboiim.My heart beats for you,and my love for you stirs up my pity.
9. I won’t punish you in my anger,and I won’t destroy Israel again.I am God and not a human;I am the Holy One, and I am among you.I will not come against you in anger.
10. They will go after the Lord,and he will roar like a lion.When he roars,his children will hurry to him from the west.
11. They will come swiftlylike birds from Egyptand like doves from Assyria.I will settle them again in their homes,”says the Lord.
12. Israel has surrounded me with lies;the people have made evil plans.And Judah turns against God,the faithful Holy One.