³ When I kept silent,^(A)
    my bones wasted away^(B)
    through my groaning^(C) all day long.
⁴ For day and night
    your hand was heavy^(D) on me;
my strength was sapped^(E)
    as in the heat of summer.^[a]

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.^(F)
I said, “I will confess^(G)
    my transgressions^(H) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.^(I)

¹⁸ “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning:
    ‘You disciplined^(A) me like an unruly calf,^(B)
    and I have been disciplined.
Restore^(C) me, and I will return,
    because you are the Lord my God.
¹⁹ After I strayed,^(D)
    I repented;
after I came to understand,
    I beat^(E) my breast.
I was ashamed^(F) and humiliated
    because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’^(G)
20 Is not Ephraim my dear son,
    the child^(H) in whom I delight?
Though I often speak against him,
    I still remember^(I) him.
Therefore my heart yearns for him;
    I have great compassion^(J) for him,”
declares the Lord.