³ Yet it was I who taught E′phraim to walk,
    I took them up in my^[a] arms;
    but they did not know that I healed them.
⁴ I led them with cords of compassion,^[b]
    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.

⁸ How can I give you up, O E′phraim!
    How can I hand you over, O Israel!
How can I make you like Admah!
    How can I treat you like Zeboi′im!
My heart recoils within me,
    my compassion grows warm and tender.
⁹ I will not execute my fierce anger,
    I will not again destroy E′phraim;
for I am God and not man,
    the Holy One in your midst,
    and I will not come to destroy.^[a]