Meet Claressa Norrell

The LORD's Love for Israel

1  When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.
2  The more they were called,
    the more they went away;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals
    and burning offerings to idols.

3  Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
    I took them up by their arms,
    but they did not know that I healed them.
4  I led them with cords of kindness, ^{1 11:4 Or humaneness; Hebrew man}
    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.

5  They shall not ^{2 11:5 Or surely} return to the land of Egypt,
    but Assyria shall be their king,
    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 because of their own counsels.
7  My people are bent on turning away from me,
    and though they call out to the Most High,
    he shall not raise them up at all.

8  How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
    How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
    How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
    my compassion grows warm and tender.
9  I will not execute my burning anger;
    I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
    the Holy One in your midst,
    and I will not come in wrath. ^{3 11:9 Or into the city}

10  They shall go after the LORD;
    he will roar like a lion;
when he roars,
    his children shall 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, declares the LORD.
12  ^{4 11:12 Ch 12:1 in Hebrew} Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
    and the house of Israel with deceit,
but Judah still walks with God
    and is faithful to the Holy One.