CHAPTER 11
But the more I called
them,
the farther
they departed
from Me.
They sacrificed
to the Baals
and burned incense
to carved images.
It was I
who taught Ephraim
to walk,
taking
them in
My arms,
but they never
realized
that it was I
who healed them.
I led
with cords
of kindness,
with ropes
of love;
I lifted
the yoke
from
their neck
and bent down
to feed them.
A sword
will whirl
through their cities;
it will destroy
the bars of their gates
and consume them
in their own plans.
My people
are bent
on turning from Me.
Though they call
to
the Most High,
He will by no means
exalt them.
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
within Me;
My compassion
is stirred!
I will not
execute
the full fury
of My anger;
I will not
turn back
to destroy
Ephraim.
For
I
am God
and not
man—
the Holy
One among you—
and I will not
come
in wrath.
They will walk after
the LORD;
He will roar
like a lion.
When
He
roars,
His children
will come trembling
from the west.
They will come trembling
like birds
from Egypt
and like doves
from the land
of Assyria.
Then I will settle
them in
their homes,
declares
the LORD.
Ephraim
surrounds
me with lies,
the house
of Israel
with deceit;
but Judah
still
walks
with
God
and is faithful
to
the Holy One.