¹ 以色列年幼的時候，我愛他，就從埃及召出我的兒子來。

² 先知越發招呼他們，他們越發走開，向諸巴力獻祭，給雕刻的偶像燒香。

³ 我原教導以法蓮行走，用膀臂抱著他們，他們卻不知道是我醫治他們。

⁴ 我用慈繩（慈：原文是人的）愛索牽引他們；我待他們如人放鬆牛的兩腮夾板，把糧食放在他們面前。

⁵ 他們必不歸回埃及地，亞述人卻要作他們的王，因他們不肯歸向我。

⁶ 刀劍必臨到他們的城邑，毀壞門閂，把人吞滅，都因他們隨從自己的計謀。

⁷ 我的民偏要背道離開我；眾先知雖然招呼他們歸向至上的主，卻無人尊崇主。

⁸ 以法蓮哪，我怎能捨棄你？以色列啊，我怎能棄絕你？我怎能使你如押瑪？怎能使你如洗扁？我回心轉意，我的憐愛大大發動。

⁹ 我必不發猛烈的怒氣，也不再毀滅以法蓮。因我是神，並非世人，是你們中間的聖者；我必不在怒中臨到你們。

¹⁰ 耶和華必如獅子吼叫，子民必跟隨他。他一吼叫，他們就從西方急速而來。

¹¹ 他們必如雀鳥從埃及急速而來，又如鴿子從亞述地來到。我必使他們住自己的房屋。這是耶和華說的。

¹² 以法蓮用謊話，以色列家用詭計圍繞我；猶大卻靠神掌權，向聖者有忠心（或譯：猶大向神，向誠實的聖者猶疑不定）。

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.