Hosea 11

1 When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.

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

2 When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.

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

3 But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.

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

4 I made them come after me with the cords of a man, with the bands of love; I was to them as one who took the yoke from off their mouths, putting meat before 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 He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.

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

6 And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.

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 given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.

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 may I give you up, O Ephraim? how may I be your saviour, O Israel? how may I make you like Admah? how may I do to you as I did to Zeboim? My heart is turned in me, it is soft with pity.

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 put into effect the heat of my wrath; I will not again send destruction on Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not put an end to you.

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 go after the Lord; his cry will be like that of a lion; his cry will be loud, and the children will come from the west, shaking with fear;

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 Shaking with fear like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will give them rest in their houses, says 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 The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...

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.