But the LORD was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and had respect to them, because of his covenant with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya`akov, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.
It happened in the course of those many days, that the king of Egypt died, and the children of Yisra'el sighed because of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.
The LORD said, *I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
Is Efrayim my dear son? is he a darling child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.
*How can I give you up, Efrayim? How can I hand you over, Yisra'el? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Tzevoyim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.
Thus says the LORD: *Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they will be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.
*He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.