¹ "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

² They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.

³ Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by his arms; but they didn't know that I healed them.

⁴ I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.

⁵ "They won't return into 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 won't exalt them.

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 is 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 in the midst of you; and I will not come in wrath.

¹⁰ They will walk after Yahweh, 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 out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses," says Yahweh.

¹² Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.

¹ Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

² Yahweh also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.

³ In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God.

⁴ Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us,

⁵ even Yahweh, the God of Armies; Yahweh is his name of renown!

⁶ Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.

⁷ A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.

⁸ Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won't find in me any iniquity that is sin."

⁹ "But I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

¹⁰ I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

¹¹ If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.

¹² Jacob fled into the country of Aram, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.

¹³ By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.

¹⁴ Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.