< 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, out of Egypt, called I my son.
2 But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.
They invited them, —at once, they departed from before me, they, to the Baals, sacrificed, and, to the images, offered incense.
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.
Yet, I, had taught Ephraim to walk, I used to take them upon mine arms, —But they acknowledged not that I had 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.
With human cords, used I to draw them, with the bands of love, so became I unto them like those who remove the yoke [that was] on their jaws, —and, holding out [food] to him, I let him eat.
5 Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?
He was not to turn back into the land of Egypt, Howbeit, the Assyrian—he, became his king, for they refused to turn.
6 A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.
Therefore shall the sword, rage, in his cities, and make an end of his multitudes, and consume them, —because of their counsels.
7 My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.
But, my people, are bent towards turning from me, though upwards they call them, none of them can lift them.
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 can I give thee up, Ephraim? abandon thee Israel? How can I make thee as Admah? set thee as Zeboim? Mine own heart, turneth against me, at once, are kindled my compassions.
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 cannot execute the glow of mine anger, I cannot turn to destroy Ephraim, —for, GOD, am, I, and not man, When thou drawest near, [I am] a Holy One, though I do not enter a 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.
After Yahweh, let them go, Like a lion, will he roar, —When, he, shall roar, then let sons, come trembling, out of 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.
Let them come trembling like a small bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria, —so will I cause them to dwell by their own houses, Declareth Yahweh.
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.
They have compassed me about—with denial, Ephraim, with deceit, the house of Israel, —but, Judah, hath, again and again, run riot with GOD, though, with the holy places, entrusted.

< Hosea 11 >