1. ‘When Israel was a child, I loved him,and out of Egypt I called my son.
2. But the more they were called,the more they went away from me.They sacrificed to the Baalsand they burned incense to images.
3. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,taking them by the arms;but they did not realiseit was I who healed them.
4. I led them with cords of human kindness,with ties of love.To them I was like one who liftsa little child to the cheek,and I bent down to feed them.
5. ‘Will they not return to Egyptand will not Assyria rule over thembecause they refuse to repent?
6. A sword will flash in their cities;it will devour their false prophetsand put an end to their plans.