Love Verses

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness {is} as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. {goodness: or, mercy, or, kindness}

For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers. {lovers: Heb. loves}

Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as {other} people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor. {upon: or, in, etc}

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: {but} they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto {that} shame; and {their} abominations were according as they loved.

All their wickedness {is} in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes {are} revolters.

Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay {even} the beloved {fruit} of their womb. {the...: Heb. the desires}

And Ephraim {is as} an heifer {that is} taught, {and} loveth to tread out {the corn}; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, {and} Jacob shall break his clods. {her...: Heb. the beauty of her neck}

When Israel {was} a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. {take off: Heb. lift up}

{He is} a merchant, the balances of deceit {are} in his hand: he loveth to oppress. {a merchant: or, Canaan} {oppress: or, deceive}

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he {is} gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.