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1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. 2 But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them. 5 Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent? 6 A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans. 7 My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them. Hosea 11:1-7, Majority Standard Bible. Public domain.
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