11:1
When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.
11:2
But the more I called, the further they went away from me; they offered sacrifice to Baal and burnt incense to idols.
11:3
I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I myself took them by the arm, but they did not know that I was the one caring for them,
11:4
that I was leading them with human ties, with leading-strings of love, that, with them, I was like someone lifting an infant to his cheek, and that I bent down to feed him.
11:5
He will not have to go back to Egypt, Assyria will be his king instead! Since he has refused to come back to me,
11:6
the sword will rage through his cities, destroying the bars of his gates, devouring them because of their plots.
11:7
My people are bent on disregarding me; if they are summoned to come up, not one of them makes a move.
11:8
Ephraim, how could I part with you? Israel, how could I give you up? How could I make you like Admah or treat you like Zeboiim? My heart within me is overwhelmed, fever grips my inmost being.
11:9
I will not give rein to my fierce anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again, for I am God, not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I shall not come to you in anger.
11:10
They will follow Yahweh; he will roar like a lion, and when he roars, his children will come fluttering from the west,
11:11
fluttering like sparrows from Egypt, like pigeons from Assyria, and I shall settle them in their homes -declares Yahweh.
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