God’s Continuing Love for Israel
“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
And out of Egypt aI called My bson.
2 As they called them,
So they awent from them;
They sacrificed to the Baals,
And burned incense to carved images.
3 “Ia taught Ephraim to walk,
Taking them by their arms;
But they did not know that bI healed them.
4 I drew them with gentle cords,
With bands of love,
And aI was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.
bI stooped and fed them.
5 “He shall not return to the land of Egypt;
But the Assyrian shall be his king,
Because they refused to repent.
6 And the sword shall slash in his cities,
Devour his districts,
And consume them,
Because of their own counsels.
7 My people are bent on abacksliding from Me.
Though they call to the Most High,
None at all exalt Him.
8 “Howa can I give you up, Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I make you like bAdmah?
How can I set you like Zeboiim?
My heart churns within Me;
My sympathy is stirred.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim.
aFor I am God, and not man,
The Holy One in your midst;
And I will not come with terror.
10 “They shall walk after the Lord.
aHe will roar like a lion.
When He roars,
Then His sons shall come trembling from the west;
11 They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt,
aLike a dove from the land of Assyria.
bAnd I will let them dwell in their houses,”
Says the Lord.
God’s Charge Against Ephraim
12 “Ephraim has encircled Me with lies,
And the house of Israel with deceit;
But Judah still walks with God,
Even with the Holy One who is faithful.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved.