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 Baalim, and burned 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 respect to him, 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 thee, Ephraim? how shall I protect thee, Israel? what shall I do with thee? I will make thee as Admah, 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 within thee: 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, saith the Lord.

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