1 | As the morning passeth, so hath the king of Israel passed away. Because Israel was a child, and I loved him: and I called my son out of Egypt. |
2 | As they called them, they went away from before their face: they offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols. |
3 | And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my arms: and they knew not that I healed them. |
4 | I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love: and I will be to them as one that taketh off the yoke on their jaws: and I put his meat to him that he might eat. |
5 | He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king: because they would not be converted. |
6 | The sword hath begun in his cities, and it shall consume his chosen men, and shall devour their heads. |
7 | And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off. |
8 | How shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up. |
9 | I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath: I will not return to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city. |
10 | They shall walk after the Lord, he shall roar as a lion: because he shall roar, and the children of the sea shall fear. |
11 | And they shall fly away like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will place them in their own houses, saith the Lord. |
12 | Ephraim hath compassed me about with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Juda went down as a witness with God, and is faithful with the saints. |