Hosea 11

1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

I loved Israel when he was a child. He's my son I called out of Egypt.

2 The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to the Baals and offered incense to idols.

3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them on my arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

I myself taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the hand, but they didn't realize I was the one who healed them.

4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who lift up the yoke on their jaws. And I laid food before them.

I led them along with cords of kindness, with ropes of love. I was the one who eased their burden and bent down to feed them.

5 They shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to me.

However, because my people refuse to return to me, they will not return to the land of Egypt but Assyria shall be their king.

6 And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

War will sweep through their cities, putting an end to their boasting and destroying their plans.

7 And my people are bent on backsliding from me. Though they call them to him who is on high, none at all will exalt him.

My people are hanging on to their apostasy from me. They call him “god on high” but he will not raise them up at all.

8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I cast thee off, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me. My compassions are kindled together.

How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I let you go, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is breaking; I am full of compassion.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Holy One in the midst of thee, and I will not come in wrath.

I will not execute the fierceness of my anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God, not a human being. I am the Holy One living among you. I will not enter your cities.

10 They shall walk after Jehovah, who will roar like a lion. For he will roar, and the sons shall come trembling from the west.

The people will follow me, the Lord. He will roar like a lion. When he roars like a lion then his children will come trembling from the west.

11 They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria. And I will make them to dwell in their houses, says Jehovah.

Like a flock of frightened birds they will come from Egypt, like doves they will come from Assyria, and I will bring them back home, declares the Lord.

12 Ephraim encompasses me around with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah yet rules with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.

Ephraim surrounds me with lies and Israel with deceit, and Judah still wanders with some deity, faithful to some “Holy One.”