⁹ They will come with weeping;^(A)
    they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead^(B) them beside streams of water^(C)
    on a level^(D) path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father,^(E)
    and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

²⁰ Is not Ephraim my dear son,
    the child^(A) in whom I delight?
Though I often speak against him,
    I still remember^(B) him.
Therefore my heart yearns for him;
    I have great compassion^(C) for him,”
declares the Lord.