1 Reversal of the Exodus: Return to Egypt and Exile in Assyria“When Israel was a young man, I loved him like a son, and I summoned my son out of Egypt.2 But the more I summoned them,the farther they departed from me. They sacrificed to the Baal idolsand burned incense to images.3 Yet it was I who led Ephraim;I took them by the arm,but they did not acknowledgethat I had healed them.4 I drew them with leather cords, with straps of hide; I lifted the yoke from their neck and gently fed them.5 They will return to Egypt! Assyria will rule over them because they refuse to repent!6 A sword will flash in their cities;it will destroy the bars of their city gates,and will devour them in their fortresses.7 My people are obsessed with turning away from me; they call to Baal, but he will never exalt them! The Divine Dilemma: Judgment or Mercy?8 “How can I give you up, O Ephraim?How can I surrender you, O Israel?How can I treat you like Admah?How can I make you like Zeboyim?I have had a change of heart. All my tender compassions are aroused.9 I cannot carry out my fierce anger!I cannot totally destroy Ephraim!Because I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you—I will not come in wrath! God Will Restore the Exiles to Israel10 “He will roar like a lion,and they will follow the LORD;when he roars,his children will come trembling from the west.11 They will return in fear and trembling like birds from Egypt,like doves from Assyria,and I will settle them in their homes,” declares the LORD. God’s Lawsuit against Israel: Breach of Covenant12 (12:1) Ephraim has surrounded me with lies;the house of Israel has surrounded me with deceit.But Judah still roams about with God;he remains faithful to the Holy One.