³ Yet it was I who taught E′phraim to walk,
    I took them up in my^[c] arms;
    but they did not know that I healed them.
⁴ I led them with cords of compassion,^[d]
    with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one
    who eases the yoke on their jaws,
    and I bent down to them and fed them.

⁵ They shall return to the land of Egypt,
    and Assyria shall be their king,
    because they have refused to return to me.
⁶ The sword shall rage against their cities,
    consume the bars of their gates,
    and devour them in their fortresses.^[e]
7 My people are bent on turning away from me;^[f]
    so they are appointed to the yoke,
    and none shall remove it.

⁸ How can I give you up, O E′phraim!
    How can I hand you over, O Israel!
How can I make you like Admah!
    How can I treat you like Zeboi′im!
My heart recoils within me,
    my compassion grows warm and tender.
⁹ I will not execute my fierce anger,
    I will not again destroy E′phraim;
for I am God and not man,
    the Holy One in your midst,
    and I will not come to destroy.^[g]

¹⁰ They shall go after the Lord,
    he will roar like a lion;
yea, he will roar,
    and his sons shall come trembling from the west;
¹¹ they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,
    and like doves from the land of Assyria;
    and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.
^12 [h] E′phraim has encompassed me with lies,
    and the house of Israel with deceit;
but Judah is still known by^[i] God,
    and is faithful to the Holy One.