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God’s Compassion Despite Israel’s Ingratitude

11When Israel was a child, I loved him,
   and out of Egypt I called my son.
² The more I^* called them,
   the more they went from me;^*
they kept sacrificing to the Baals,
   and offering incense to idols.

³ Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
   I took them up in my^* arms;
   but they did not know that I healed them.
⁴ I led them with cords of human kindness,
   with bands of love.
I was to them like those
   who lift infants to their cheeks.^*
   I bent down to them and fed them.

⁵ They shall return to the land of Egypt,
   and Assyria shall be their king,
   because they have refused to return to me.
⁶ The sword rages in their cities,
   it consumes their oracle-priests,
   and devours because of their schemes.
⁷ My people are bent on turning away from me.
   To the Most High they call,
   but he does not raise them up at all.^*

⁸ How can I give you up, Ephraim?
   How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
   How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
   my compassion grows warm and tender.
⁹ I will not execute my fierce anger;
   I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and no mortal,
   the Holy One in your midst,
   and I will not come in wrath.^*

¹⁰ They shall go after the Lord,
   who roars like a lion;
when he roars,
   his children shall come trembling from the west.
¹¹ They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,
   and like doves from the land of Assyria;
   and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.

^{12 *}Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
   and the house of Israel with deceit;
but Judah still walks^* with God,
   and is faithful to the Holy One.

12Ephraim herds the wind,
   and pursues the east wind all day long;
they multiply falsehood and violence;
   they make a treaty with Assyria,
   and oil is carried to Egypt.

The Long History of Rebellion

² The Lord has an indictment against Judah,
   and will punish Jacob according to his ways,
   and repay him according to his deeds.
³ In the womb he tried to supplant his brother,
   and in his manhood he strove with God.
⁴ He strove with the angel and prevailed,
   he wept and sought his favour;
he met him at Bethel,
   and there he spoke with him.^*
5 The Lord the God of hosts,
   the Lord is his name!
⁶ But as for you, return to your God,
   hold fast to love and justice,
   and wait continually for your God.