1. When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
2. The more they called them, the more they departed from Me. They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.
3. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never knew that I healed them.
4. I led them with human cords,with ropes of love. To them I was like onewho eases the yoke from their jaws; I bent down to give them food.
5. Israel will not return to the land of Egyptand Assyria will be his king, because they refused to repent.