1
“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and I called my son out of Egypt.
2
But the more I 1 called to him,
the farther he moved from me,
offering sacrifices to the images of Baal
and burning incense to idols.
3
I myself taught Israel 2 how to walk,
leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn’t know or even care
that it was I who took care of him.
4
I led Israel along
with my ropes of kindness and love.
I lifted the yoke from his neck,
and I myself stooped to feed him.
5
“But since my people refuse to return to me,
they will return to Egypt
and will be forced to serve Assyria.
6
War will swirl through their cities;
their enemies will crash through their gates.
They will destroy them,
trapping them in their own evil plans.
7
For my people are determined to desert me.
They call me the Most High,
but they don’t truly honor me.
8
“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel?
How can I let you go?
How can I destroy you like Admah
or demolish you like Zeboiim?
My heart is torn within me,
and my compassion overflows.
9
No, I will not unleash my fierce anger.
I will not completely destroy Israel,
for I am God and not a mere mortal.
I am the Holy One living among you,
and I will not come to destroy.
10
For someday the people will follow me.
I, the Lord , will roar like a lion.
And when I roar,
my people will return trembling from the west.
11
Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt.
Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria.
And I will bring them home again,”
says the Lord .
12
3 Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit,
but Judah still obeys God
and is faithful to the Holy One. 4