1 For Israel is a child, and I loved him, and out of Egypt I have called his children.⁠a 2 As I called them, so they departed from my presence: they sacrificed to Baals, and burnt incense to carved images. 3 Yet I bound the feet of Ephraim, I took him on my arm; but they did not know that I healed them. 4 When men were destroyed, I drew them with the bands of my love: and I will be to them as a man striking another on his cheek: and I will have respect to him, I will prevail with him. 5 Ephraim lived in Egypt; and as for the Assyrian, he was his king, because he would not return. 6 And in his cities he did not prevail with the sword, and he ceased to war with his hands: and they shall eat of the fruit of their own devices: 7 and his people shall cling fondly to their habitation; but God shall be angry with his precious things, and shall not at all exalt him. 8 How shall I deal with you, Ephraim? how shall I protect you, Israel? what shall I do with you? I will make you as Admah, and as Zeboyim; my heart is turned at once, my repentance is powerfully excited. 9 I will not act according to the fury of my anger, I will not abandon Ephraim to be utterly destroyed: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One within you: and I will not enter into the city. 10 I will go after the Lord: he shall utter his voice as a lion: for he shall roar, and the children of the waters shall be amazed. 11 They shall be amazed and fly as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will restore them to their houses, says the Lord.