Out of Egypt I Called My Son
(Matthew 2:13–15)

1When Israel was a child, I loved him;

and out of Egypt I called My son.†

2And I called to them,

so they went away from My face;†

to the Baals they sacrificed,

and to the carved images they burned incense.

3And I had guided the feet of Ephraim,†

taking them by the arms;

they did not know

that it was I who healed them.

4With cords of humanity I drew them,

with bands of love;

and I was to them like those lifting the yoke up from their jaws,

and I bent down to them to let them eat.

5He will not return to the land of Egypt,

and Assyria—it will be his king,

because they refused to return.

6And the sword will twist through his cities,

and will finish off his bars,

and will devour their counseling!

7And My people are bent on turning away from Me;

though to the Most High they call to Him,

He will not at all exalt them.

God’s Love for Israel

8How can I give you up, O Ephraim?

Can I deliver you up, O Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

Can I make you like Zeboiim?

My heart is turned over within Me,

together My compassions are kindled.

9I will not act in the burning of My anger;

I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim.

For I am God, and not a man—

the Holy One in your midst,

and I will not come in enmity.

10After YHWH they shall walk;

like a lion He will roar;

when He roars,

the sons from the west will come trembling.

11They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt,

and like a dove from the land of Assyria,

and I will let them dwell in their homes,

a declaration of YHWH.

12Ephraim has surrounded Me with lies,

and the house of Israel with deceit,

and Judah still wanders restlessly with God,

and with the holy ones is faithful.†