The Lord’s Love for Israel
2
5The more they were called, the more they went away; 6they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.
3
Yet it was 7I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that 8I healed them.
4
9I led them with cords of kindness, a with the bands of love, and 10I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and 11I bent down to them and fed them.
5
12They shall notb return to the land of Egypt, but 13Assyria shall be their king, 14because 15they have refused to return to me.
6
16The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them 17because of their own counsels.
7
My people are bent 18on turning away from me, and though 19they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all.
8
How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? 20How can I make you 21like Admah? How can I treat you 22like Zeboiim? 23My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.
9
I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; 24for I am God and not a man, 25the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. c
10
26They shall go after the Lord; 27he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling 28from the west;
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)