Hosea 11:1–4

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,

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.