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, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

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

As I called them, the farther they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved 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.

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them in my arms; but they did not know 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 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.

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.

"They won't return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

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

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

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

My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won't exalt them.

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 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.

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 my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of you; and I will not come in wrath.

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

12 The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...

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