1 When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.2 When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.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 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 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 And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.7 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 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 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 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 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.
1 "以色列年幼的时候， 我就爱他。我从埃及召我的儿子出来。 2 可是我越发呼唤他们， 他们越发走开； 他们给巴力献祭， 向偶像烧香。 3 然而是我教导以法莲走路的； 我用双臂抱他们， 他们却不知道是我医治了他们。 4 我用慈绳爱索牵引他们， 我待他们像人拉高牛的轭在两颚之上， 又向他们俯身， 喂养他们。 5 "他们必返回埃及地， 亚述要作他们的王； 因为他们不肯回来归我。 6 刀剑必在他们的城中飞舞， 毁坏他们的门闩， 因着他们自己的计谋， 吞灭他们。 7 我的子民决要背道离开我， 他们因着所负的轭而呼求， 却没有人给他们卸下。 8 "以法莲啊， 我怎能舍弃你！ 以色列啊， 我怎能把你交出来！ 我怎能对你如同押玛， 待你好像洗扁呢！ 我的心肠翻转， 我的怜悯发动。 9 我必不让我的烈怒发作， 必不再毁灭以法莲； 因为我是 神， 不是世人； 我是你们中间的圣者， 必不会含怒而来。 10 他们必跟随耶和华； 耶和华要像狮子吼叫； 他一吼叫， 他们就从西方战战兢兢而来。 11 他们必战战兢兢而来， 像从埃及赶来的飞鸟， 如从亚述地赶来的鸽子， 我要使他们住在自己的房子里。这是耶和华说的。 12 以法莲用虚谎， 以色列家用诡诈包围着我； 犹大还是与 神对抗， 就是对抗那可信可靠的至圣者。（本节在《马索拉抄本》为12:1）