11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
11:2 But the more I called them, the further they went from me. They offered sacrifice to the Baals and burning incense to idols.
11:3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I who took them up in my arms. However, they did not know that I was the one caring for them.
11:4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with bonds of love. I lifted them to my cheek as I would an infant, and I bent down to feed them.
11:5 They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria will be their king because they refused to return to me.
11:6 The sword shall be brandished in their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and devour them because of their evil schemes.
11:7 My people are determined to ignore me; if they are summoned to approach me, not one of them makes any attempt to do so.
11:8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is overwhelmed within me; tender compassion is enkindled in my heart.
11:9 I will not give rein to my fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not a mortal. I am the Holy One in your midst; I will not come to you in wrath.
11:10 They will follow the Lord who roars like a lion. And when he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
11:11 They will come trembling like sparrows from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will resettle them in their homes, says the Lord.
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