God Loves Israel
1The Lord continues,
“When Israel was a young nation, I loved them.
I chose to bring my son out of Egypt.
2But the more I called out to Israel,
the more they went away from me.
They brought sacrifices to the statues of the gods
that were named Baal.
And they burned incense to them.
3I taught Ephraim to walk.
I took them up in my arms.
But they did not realize
I was the one who took care of them.
4I led them with kindness and love.
I was to them like a person who lifts
a little child to their cheek.
I bent down and fed them.
5“But they refuse to turn away from their sins.
So they will return to Egypt.
And Assyria will rule over them.
6A sword will flash in their cities.
It will destroy the prophets who teach lies.
It will bring an end to their plans.
7My people have made up their minds
to turn away from me.
Even if they call me the Most High God,
I will certainly not honor them.”
8The Lord continues,
“People of Ephraim, how can I give you up?
Israel, how can I hand you over to your enemies?
Can I destroy you as I did the town of Admah?
Can I treat you like Zeboyim?
My heart is stirred inside me.
It is filled with pity for you.
9I will not be so angry with you anymore.
I will not completely destroy you again.
After all, I am God.
I am not a mere man.
I am the Holy One among you.
I will not direct my anger against their cities.
10I will roar like a lion against my enemies.
Then the Lord’s people will follow him.
When he roars, his children will come home trembling with fear.
They will return from the west.
11They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows.
They will return from Assyria, flying in like doves.
I will settle you again in your homes,”
announces the Lord.
Israel Has Sinned
12The people of Ephraim tell me nothing but lies.
Israel has not been honest with me.
And Judah continues to wander away from God.
They have deserted the faithful Holy One.
El amor de Dios por Israel
1«Desde que Israel era niño, yo lo amé;
de Egipto llamé a mi hijo.
2Pero cuanto más lo llamaba,
más se alejaba de mí.11:2 llamaba … de mí (LXX); llamaban … de ellos (TM).
Ofrecía sacrificios a los falsos dioses11:2 falsos dioses. Lit. baales.
y quemaba incienso a las imágenes.
3Yo fui quien enseñó a caminar a Efraín;
yo fui quien lo tomó de la mano.
Pero él no quiso reconocer
que era yo quien lo sanaba.
4Lo atraje con cuerdas de ternura,11:4 de ternura. Lit. humanas.
lo atraje con lazos de amor.
Le quité de la cerviz el yugo,
y con ternura me acerqué para alimentarlo.
5»No volverán a Egipto,
sino que Asiria reinará sobre ellos,
porque no quisieron volverse a mí.
6En sus ciudades se blandirán espadas,
que destrozarán los barrotes de sus puertas
y acabarán con sus planes.
7Mi pueblo está resuelto a renegar de mi nombre;
por eso, aunque me invoquen, no los exaltaré.
8»¿Cómo podría yo entregarte, Efraín?
¿Cómo podría abandonarte, Israel?
¡Yo no podría entregarte como entregué a Admá!
¡Yo no podría abandonarte como a Zeboyín!
Dentro de mí, el corazón me da vuelcos,
y se me conmueven las entrañas.
9Pero no daré rienda suelta a mi ira,
ni volveré a destruir a Efraín.
Porque en medio de ti no está un hombre,
sino que estoy yo, el Dios santo,
y no atacaré la ciudad».
10El Señor rugirá como león,
y ellos lo seguirán.
Cuando el Señor lance su rugido,
sus hijos vendrán temblando de occidente.
11«Vendrán desde Egipto, temblando como aves;
vendrán desde Asiria, temblando como palomas,
y yo los estableceré en sus casas
—afirma el Señor—.
El pecado de Israel
12»Efraín me ha rodeado con mentiras,
y el reino de Israel, con engaños;
Judá anda errante, lejos de Dios;
¡lejos del Dios santísimo y fiel!
