"The LORD says, when Israel was a child, I loved him...I drew them to me with affection and love. I picked them up and held them to my cheek; I bent down and fed them." ( Hosea 11:1,4 )
"The LORD says...The people of Israel are like a plant whose roots have dried up and which bears no fruit. They will have no children, but even if they did, I would kill the children so dear to them." ( Hosea 9:15,16 )