2Just as they were called, so they went away from my presence; they sacrificed to Baal and burned incense to idols.

3It was I who cared for Ephraim and took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them.

4I drew them with cords of a man, with the bands of love; and I was to them as one who takes off the yoke from their neck, and I bent over them and fed them.

5They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to repent.

6The sword shall cause pain in their cities and consume their possessions, and they shall suffer because of their evil counsels.

7And my people are inclined to backslide from me; though they shall call to God, they will take counsel together, and none at all would exalt him.

8How shall I uphold you, O Ephraim? How shall I help you, O Israel? How shall I make you as Adamah? How shall I set you as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my tender mercies are moved.

9I will not execute the fierceness of my anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man in the midst of you; I am the Holy One, and I will not come to attack the city.

10They shall walk after the LORD; he shall roar like a lion; because he shall roar, some of the people shall tremble.

11They shall come fast like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will bring them back to their dwelling place, says the LORD.

12Ephraim has compassed me about with lies, and the house of Israel and Judah with deceit; until the people of God was humbled, a people once holy and faithful.