For ifHe causesgrief,Then He will havecompassionAccording to His abundantlovingkindness.
But the LORDwas graciousto them and hadcompassionon them and turnedto them becauseof His covenantwith Abraham,Isaac,and Jacob,and wouldnot destroythem or castthem from His presenceuntilnow.
For as highas the heavensare abovethe earth,So greatis His lovingkindnesstowardthose who fearHim.
For His angeris but for a moment,His favoris for a lifetime;Weepingmay lastfor the night,But a shoutof joy[comes] in the morning.
But He, being compassionate,forgave[their] iniquityand did not destroy[them]; And oftenHe restrainedHis angerAnd did not arouseallHis wrath.
Now it cameabout in [the course of] thosemanydaysthat the kingof Egyptdied.And the sonsof Israelsighedbecauseof the bondage,and they criedout; and their cryfor helpbecauseof [their] bondageroseup to God.
The LORDsaid,"I have surelyseenthe afflictionof My peoplewhoare in Egypt,and have givenheedto their crybecauseof their taskmasters,for I am awareof their sufferings.
You contendedwith them by banishingthem, by drivingthem away.With His fiercewindHe has expelled[them] on the dayof the eastwind.
"For a briefmomentI forsookyou, But with greatcompassionI will gatheryou.
"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.
The LORD'Slovingkindnessesindeednevercease,For His compassionsneverfail.
Howcan I giveyou up, O Ephraim?How can I surrenderyou, O Israel?Howcan I makeyou like Admah?How can I treatyou like Zeboiim?My heartis turnedoverwithinMe, AllMy compassionsare kindled.
Thussaysthe LORD,"Thoughthey are at full[strength] and likewisemany,Even so,they will be cutoffand passaway.Though I have afflictedyou, I will afflictyou nolonger.
"Sohe gotup and cameto his father.But while he was stilla long wayoff,his fathersawhim and felt compassion[for him], and ranand embracedhim and kissedhim.
So they putawaythe foreigngodsfrom amongthem and servedthe LORD;and He couldbearthe miseryof Israelnolonger.
