Out of Egypt I Called My Son

(Matthew 2:13–15)

11 When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and out of Egypt I called My son.[fn]

2 But the more I called Israel,

the farther they departed from Me.[fn]

They sacrificed to the Baals

and burned incense to carved images.

3 It was I who taught Ephraim [fn] to walk,

taking them in My arms,

but they never realized

that it was I who healed them.

4 I led them with cords of kindness,

with ropes of love;

I lifted the yoke from their necks

and bent down to feed them.

5 Will they not return to the land of Egypt

and be ruled by Assyria

because they refused to repent?

6 A sword will flash through their cities;

it will destroy the bars of their gates

and consume them in their own plans.

7 My people are bent on turning from Me.

Though they call to the Most High,

He will by no means exalt them.