Hosea 11:2-4

New International Reader's Version

² But the more I called out to Israel,
    the more they went away from me.
They brought sacrifices to the statues of the gods
    that were named Baal.
    And they burned incense to them.
³ I taught Ephraim to walk.
    I took them up in my arms.
But they did not realize
    I was the one who took care of them.
⁴ I led them with kindness and love.
I was to them like a person who lifts
    a little child to their cheek.
    I bent down and fed them.