1. Early in the morning were they cast off, the king of Israel has been cast off: for Israel is a child, and I loved him, and out of Egypt have I called his children.

2. As I called them, so they departed from My presence; they sacrificed to Baalam, and burnt incense to graven images.

3. Yet I bound the feet of Ephraim, I took him on My arm; but they knew not that I healed them.

4. When men were destroyed, I drew them with the bands of My love: and I will be to them as a man smiting [another] on his cheek: and I will have regard for him, [and] I will prevail with him.

5. Ephraim dwelt in Egypt; and [as for] the Assyrian, he was his king, because he would not return.

6. And in his cities he prevailed not with the sword, and he ceased [to war] with his hands; and they shall eat [of the fruit] of their own devices.

7. And his people [shall] cleave fondly to their habitation; but God shall be angry with his precious things, and shall not at all exalt him.

8. How shall I deal with you, O Ephraim? [How] shall I protect you, O Israel? What shall I do with you? I will make you as Adamah, and as Zeboiim; My heart is turned at once, My repentance is powerfully excited.

9. I will not act according to the fury of My wrath, I will not abandon Ephraim to be utterly destroyed: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in your midst; and I will not enter into the city.

10. I will go after the Lord: He shall utter [His voice] as a lion. For He shall roar, and the children of the waters shall be amazed.

11. They shall be amazed [and fly] as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will restore them to their houses, says the Lord.

12. Ephraim has compassed Me with falsehood, and the house of Israel and Judah with ungodliness; [but] now God knows them, and they shall be called God's holy people.