Hosea 11

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

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

2 But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.

[As] they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them.

I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

4 I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.

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 meat unto them.

5 Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

6 A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.

And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.

7 My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

8 How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

9 I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man— the Holy One among you— and I will not come in wrath.

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 thee: and I will not enter into the city.

10 They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.

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 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.

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, saith the LORD.

12 Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.

Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.