11:1  When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

11:2  The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Ba'als, and burning incense to idols.

11:3  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.

11:4  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.

11:5  They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.

11:6  The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them in their fortresses.

11:7  My people are bent on turning away from me; so they are appointed to the yoke, and none shall remove it.

11:8  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.

11:9  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.

11:10  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;

11:11  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.

11:12  E'phraim has encompassed me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah is still known by