Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
1
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.
2 The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Ba'als, and burning incense to idols.
2
The more I called them, the farther they went away. They sacrificed to other gods--the Baals, and they burned incense to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught E'phraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them.
3
I was the one who taught the people of Ephraim to walk. I took them by the hand. But they didn't realize that I had healed them.
4 I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one, who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.
4
I led them with cords of human kindness, with ropes of love. I removed the yokes from their necks. I bent down and fed them.
5 They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.
5
"They will not return to Egypt. Instead, Assyria will rule them because they have refused to return to me.
6 The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them in their fortresses.
6
War will sweep through their cities, demolish their city gates, and put an end to their plans.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me; so they are appointed to the yoke, and none shall remove it.
7
My people are determined to turn away from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will not pardon them.
8 How can I give you up, O E'phraim! How can I hand you over, O Israel! How can I make you like Admah! How can I treat you like Zeboi'im! My heart recoils within me, my compassion grows warm and tender.
8
"How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboim? I have changed my mind. I am deeply moved.
9 I will not execute my fierce anger, I will not again destroy E'phraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come to destroy.
9
I will not act on my burning anger. I will not destroy Ephraim again. I am God, not a human. I am the Holy One among you, and I will not come to you in anger.
10 They shall go after the LORD, he will roar like a lion; yea, he will roar, and his sons shall come trembling from the west;
10
"My people will follow me when I roar like a lion. When I roar, my children will come trembling from the west.
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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They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their own homes," declares the LORD.
12 E'phraim has encompassed me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah is still known by God, and is faithful to the Holy One.
12
"Ephraim surrounds me with lies. The nation of Israel surrounds me with deceit." Judah rebels against God, against the Holy One who is faithful.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.