² The more I called to them,
    the more they went away from me.^[a]
    They kept sacrificing to the Baals
    and burning incense to idols.
³ Yet I was the one who taught Ephraim to walk.
    I took them in my arms,^[b]
    but they did not realize that it was I who healed them.
⁴ I drew them with cords suitable for a man,^[c] with ropes of love.
    For them I became like someone who lifts a yoke off their neck,
    and I bent down to feed them.

⁵ They will not^[d] return into the land of Egypt.
    Instead, an Assyrian will be their king,
    because they refused to repent.
⁶ The sword will slash against their cities.
    It will destroy the bars of their gates,
    and it will devour them because of their plans.

⁷ My people are determined to turn away from me.
    Though they call him the Most High, he certainly will not 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 treat you like Zeboiim?^[e]
    My heart is changed inside me.
    All my compassion is stirred up.
⁹ I will not carry out my burning anger.
    I will not destroy Ephraim again,
    because I am God, and not man, the Holy One among you.
    I will not enter a city.^[f]
10 They will follow the Lord.
    He will roar like a lion.
    Yes, he will roar, and his children will come trembling from the west.
¹¹ They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt,
    and like a dove from the land of Assyria.
    I will settle them in their houses, declares the Lord.