¹⁹ For after ^(A)I had turned away, I relented,
    and after I was instructed, ^(B)I struck my thigh;
^(C)I was ashamed, and I was confounded,
    because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
^20 (D)Is Ephraim my dear son?
    ^(E)Is he my darling child?
For as often as I speak against him,
    I do remember him still.
^(F)Therefore my heart^[a] yearns for him;
    I will surely have mercy on him,
declares the Lord.
^21 (G)“Set up road markers for yourself;
    make yourself guideposts;
^(H)consider well the highway,
    ^(I)the road by which you went.
Return, O virgin Israel,
    return to these your cities.