Out of Egypt I Called My Son

(Matthew 2:13–15)

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 by the arms,

but they never realized

that it was I who healed them.

4 

I led them with cords of kindness,

with ropes of love;

vvv vvv 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.

8