111 When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son . 2 The more they called them, The more they went from them; They kept sacrificing to the Baals And burning incense to idols . 3 Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk , I took them in My arms ; But they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of a man , with bonds of love , And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws ; And I bent down and fed them. 5 They will not return to the land of Egypt ; But Assyria -he will be their king Because they refused to return to Me. 6 The sword will whirl against their cities , And will demolish their gate bars And consume them because of their counsels . 7 So My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call them to the One on high , None at all exalts Him.
8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim ? How can I surrender you, O Israel ? How can I make you like Admah ? How can I treat you like Zeboiim ? My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled . 9 I will not execute My fierce anger ; I will not destroy Ephraim again . For I am God and not man , the Holy One in your midst , And I will not come in wrath . 10 They will walk after the Lord , He will roar like a lion ; Indeed He will roar And His sons will come trembling from the west . 11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt And like doves from the land of Assyria ; And I will settle them in their houses , declares the Lord . 12 Ephraim surrounds Me with lies And the house of Israel with deceit ; Judah is also unruly against God , Even against the Holy One who is faithful .
