"Is EphraimMy dearson?Is he a delightfulchild?Indeed,as oftenas I have spokenagainst him, I certainly[still] rememberhim; ThereforeMy heartyearnsfor him; I will surelyhavemercyon him," declaresthe LORD.
Josephhurried[out] for he was deeplystirredoverhis brother,and he sought[a place] to weep;and he enteredhis chamberand weptthere.
Then the womanwhosechild[was] the livingonespoketo the king,for she was deeplystirredoverher sonand said,"Oh,my lord,giveher the livingchild,and by nomeanskillhim." But the othersaid,"He shall be neithermine noryours; divide[him]!"
Just as a fatherhascompassionon [his] children,So the LORDhascompassionon those who fearHim.
For whomthe LORDlovesHe reproves,Even as a father[corrects] the sonin whom he delights.
"My belovedextendedhis handthroughthe opening,And my feelingswere arousedfor him.
Thereforemy heartintoneslike a harpfor MoabAnd my inwardfeelingsfor Kir-hareseth.
Thereforethe LORDlongsto be graciousto you, And thereforeHe waits on highto havecompassionon you. For the LORDis a Godof justice;How blessedare allthose who longfor Him.
Let the wickedforsakehis wayAnd the unrighteousmanhis thoughts;And let him returnto the LORD,And He will havecompassionon him, And to our God,For He will abundantlypardon.
Lookdownfrom heavenand seefrom Your holyand glorioushabitation;Whereare Your zealand Your mightydeeds?The stirringsof Your heartand Your compassionare restrainedtowardme.
"Goand proclaimthesewordstoward the northand say,Return,faithlessIsrael,'declaresthe LORD;I will not lookupon you in anger. For I am gracious,'declaresthe LORD;'I will not be angryforever.
"Then I said,'HowI would setyou among My sonsAnd giveyou a pleasantland,The mostbeautifulinheritanceof the nations!'And I said,'You shall callMe, My Father,And not turnawayfrom followingMe.'
"With weepingthey will come,And by supplicationI will leadthem; I will make them walkby streamsof waters,On a straightpathin which they will not stumble;For I ama fatherto Israel,And Ephraimis My firstborn."
thenI would rejectthe descendantsof Jacoband DavidMy servant,not takingfrom his descendantsrulersoverthe descendantsof Abraham,Isaacand Jacob.But I will restoretheir fortunesand will havemercyon them.'"
"ThereforeMy heartwailsfor Moablike flutes;My heartalso wailslike flutesfor the menof Kir-heres.Thereforethey have lostthe abundanceit produced.
The LORD'Slovingkindnessesindeednevercease,For His compassionsneverfail.
"Sayto them, 'As I live!'declaresthe LordGOD,'I takenopleasurein the deathof the wicked,but ratherthat the wickedturnfrom his wayand live.Turnback,turnbackfrom your evilways!Whythen will you die,O houseof Israel?'
I will healtheir apostasy,I will lovethem freely,For My angerhas turnedawayfrom them.
Yet in spiteof this,when they are in the landof their enemies,I will not rejectthem, norwill I so abhorthem as to destroythem, breakingMy covenantwith them; for I am the LORDtheir God.
for thissonof minewas deadand has come to life again;he was lostand has been found.'And they beganto celebrate.
But we hadto celebrateand rejoice,for thisbrotherof yourswas deadand [has begun] to live,and [was] lostand has been found.'"
"For the LORDwill vindicateHis people,And will havecompassionon His servants,WhenHe seesthat [their] strengthis gone,And thereis none[remaining], bondor free.
For Godis my witness,howI longfor you allwith the affectionof ChristJesus.
So they putawaythe foreigngodsfrom amongthem and servedthe LORD;and He couldbearthe miseryof Israelnolonger.
