Hosea 11

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

When Israel was young, then I began to love him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

2 They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.

The more I called them, the further they went away from me. They kept sacrificing to Baals and making offerings to idols.

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

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them up in my arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

4 I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.

With humane cords I ever drew them, with bands of love. I was to them as one who lifts up the yoke from off their jaws, and bending toward them, I gave them food to eat.

5 “They will not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

No! They return to the land of Egypt, Assyria will be their king, for they have refused to return to me.

6 The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.

Therefore the swords will whirl in their cities, will devour in their fortresses.

7 My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly will not exalt them.

For my people are bent in rebellion against me, even if they call on the Most High he will not raise them.

8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

How can I give you up, Ephraim! Give you over, Israel! How am I to give you up as Admah! Make you like Zeboim! My heart asserts itself, my sympathies are all aglow.

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 among you. I will not come in wrath.

I will not carry into effect the fierceness of my anger, I will not turn to destroy Ephraim, for God am I, and not man, holy in the midst of you, therefore I will not consume.

10 They will walk after the LORD, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.

They will follow after the Lord. Like a lion he will roar, and when he roars his children will come trembling from the west.

11 They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says the LORD.

They will come trembling like the birds from Egypt, like doves from the land of Assyria. And I will bring them back to their houses, – declares the Lord.

12 Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.

Ephraim has encompassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah still wanders with God faithful to the Holy One.