Out of Egypt I called My Son
1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him,
and called my son out of Egypt.
2 The more my prophets called to them,
the farther they went.
They sacrificed to the Baals,
and burned incense to engraved images.
3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk.
I took them by the arms,
but they did not know that it was I who healed them.
4 I drew them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love,
and I was to them like those who raise infants to their cheeks,
and I bent down and fed them.
5 They will not return to the land of Egypt,
but the Assyrian will be their king,
because they refused to repent.
6 The sword will fall on their cities,
and will destroy the bars of their gates,
and will put an end to their plans.
7 My people are determined to turn from me.
Though they call to the Most High,
he certainly will not exalt them.
God’s Mercy Toward Israel
8 How can I give you up, Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I make you like Zeboiim?
My heart has turned within me,
my compassion is aroused.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of my anger.
I will not return to destroy Ephraim,
for I am God, and not man,
the Holy One among you,
and I will not come in wrath.
10 They will walk after the LORD,
who will roar like a lion,
for he will roar,
and the children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt
and like a dove from the land of Assyria.
Then I will settle them in their houses, says the LORD.
12 Ephraim surrounds me with lies
and the house of Israel with deceit,
but Judah still walks with God
and is faithful to the Holy One.