New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
1
When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.
2 The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols.
2
When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them.
3
But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.
4
I made them come after me with the cords of a man, with the bands of love; I was to them as one who took the yoke from off their mouths, putting meat before them.
5 They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.
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He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.
6 The sword rages in their cities, it consumes their oracle-priests, and devours because of their schemes.
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And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me. To the Most High they call, but he does not raise them up at all.
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My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.
8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.
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How may I give you up, O Ephraim? how may I be your saviour, O Israel? how may I make you like Admah? how may I do to you as I did to Zeboim? My heart is turned in me, it is soft with pity.
9 I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.
9
I will not put into effect the heat of my wrath; I will not again send destruction on Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not put an end to you.
10 They shall go after the Lord, who roars like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west.
10
They will go after the Lord; his cry will be like that of a lion; his cry will be loud, and the children will come from the west, shaking with fear;
11 They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.
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Shaking with fear like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will give them rest in their houses, says the Lord.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God, and is faithful to the Holy One.
12
The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.