11“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.H3478H5288H157H7121H1121H47142But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols.H7121H1980H6440H2076H1168H6999H64563I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him.H8637H669H8637H3947H2220H3045H74954I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him.H4900H2256H120H5688H160H7311H5923H3895H5186H3985“But since my people refuse to return to me, they will return to Egypt and will be forced to serve Assyria.H7725H776H4714H804H4428H3985H77256War will swirl through their cities; their enemies will crash through their gates. They will destroy them, trapping them in their own evil plans.H2719H2342H5892H3615H905H398H41567For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they don’t truly honor me.H5971H8511H4878H7121H5920H3162H73118“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows.H5414H669H4042H3478H5414H126H7760H6636H3820H2015H5150H3648H31629No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy.H6213H2740H639H7725H7843H669H410H376H6918H7130H935H589210For someday the people will follow me. I, the Lord, will roar like a lion. And when I roar, my people will return trembling from the west.H3212H310H3068H7580H738H7580H1121H2729H322011Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt. Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria. And I will bring them home again,” says the Lord.H2729H6833H4714H3123H776H804H3427H1004H5002H3068
Charges against Israel and Judah
12Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit, but Judah still obeys God and is faithful to the Holy One.H669H5437H3585H1004H3478H4820H3063H7300H410H539H6918