< 何西阿書 11 >
1 當以色列尚在童年時,我就愛了他;從在埃及時,我就召他為我的兒子。
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
2 可是我越呼喚他們,他們越遠離我,去給巴耳獻祭,向偶像進香。
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
3 是我教了厄弗辣因邁步,雙臂抱了他們,但他們卻不理會是我照顧了他們。
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
4 是我用仁慈的繩索,用愛情的帶子牽著他們,對他們有如高舉嬰兒到自己面頰的慈親,俯身喂養他們。
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 food unto them.
5 他們卻要返回埃及埃及,要亞述作他們的君王,因為他們拒絕歸依我。
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, and the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
6 刀劍必要在他們的城中橫行,殺絕他們的子女,在他們的堡壘中吞噬他們。
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
7 我的百姓因著自己的叛逆使我厭煩了;為此上主給他們指定了應負的重軛,因為衪已不再憐惜他們。
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
8 厄弗辣因! 我怎能捨棄你﹖以色列! 我怎能拋掉你。我怎能仗你如同阿德瑪,待你如同責波殷﹖我的心已轉變,我的五內已感動;
How shall I give you up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver you, Israel? how shall I make you as Admah? how shall I set you as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
9 我不再按卜憤怒行事,不再毀滅厄弗辣因,因為我是天主而不是人,是在你們中間的聖言,而不是伏於城門的仇敵。
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of you: and I will not enter into the city.
10 的確,他們必要追隨上主,衪要像獅子吼叫;衪一吼叫,衪的子女便要從西方急速歸來,猶如飛鳥由埃及急速飛來,
They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
11 猶如鴿子從亞述飛來;我要使他們安居在他們家中──上主的斷語。
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, says the LORD.
12 厄弗辣因用,以色列家以詭詐欺騙了我;猶大對天主也是不忠實的證人,他只知忠於迷惑他的人。
Ephraim compasses me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet rules with God, and is faithful with the saints.