But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them. He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence.
In the passing of time, the king of Egypt died. And the Israelites sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out, and their cry came up to God on account of the bondage.
The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For since I spoke against him, I still remember him; therefore My heart longs for him. I will surely have mercy on him, says the Lord.
How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboyim? My heart churns within Me; My compassion is stirred.
So the Lord says: “Even though they are full and many, they will be cut down, and it will pass away. Even though I have afflicted you, I will no longer afflict you, O Judah;
So he arose and came to his father. “But while he was yet far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and embraced his neck and kissed him.