Hosea

¹ “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

² the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.

³ taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.

⁴ with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.

⁵ and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?

⁶ will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans.

⁷ Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them.

⁸ How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.

⁹ nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man— the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.

¹⁰ he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

¹¹ like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes,” declares the Lord.

¹² Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One.