^9 (A)With weeping they shall come,
    ^(B)and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back,
I will make them ^(C)walk by brooks of water,
    ^(D)in a straight path in which they shall not stumble,
for ^(E)I am a father to Israel,
    and Ephraim is ^(F)my firstborn.

¹⁸ I have heard ^(A)Ephraim grieving,
‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined,
    like an untrained calf;
^(B)bring me back that I may be restored,
    for you are the Lord my God.

⁶ He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.