Osee 11

1 Early in the morning were they cast off, the king of Israel has been cast off: for Israel is a child, and I loved him, and out of Egypt have I called his children.

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

2 As I called them, so they departed from my presence: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burnt incense to graven images.

The more [the prophets] called them, the more they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3 Yet I bound the feet of Ephraim, I took him on my arm; but they knew not that I healed them.

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk; I took them on my arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

4 When men were destroyed, I drew them with the bands of my love: and I will be to them as a man striking [another] on his cheek: and I will have respect to him, I will prevail with him.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that lift up the yoke on their jaws; and I laid food before them.

5 Ephraim lived in Egypt; and [as for] the Assyrian, he was his king, because he would not return.

They shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return [to me].

6 And in his cities he prevailed not with the sword, and he ceased [to war] with his hands: and they shall eat [of the fruit] of their own devices:

And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.

7 and his people [shall] cleave fondly to their habitation; but God shall be angry with his precious things, and shall not at all exalt him.

And my people are bent on backsliding from me: though they call them to [him that is] on high, none at all will exalt [him].

8 How shall I deal with you, Ephraim? [how] shall I protect you, Israel? what shall I do with you? I will make you as Adama, and as Seboim; my heart is turned at once, my repentance is powerfully excited.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I cast thee off, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboiim? my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together.

9 I will not act according to the fury of my wrath, I will not abandon Ephraim to be utterly destroyed: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One within you: and I will not enter into the city.

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 come in wrath.

10 I will go after the Lord: he shall utter [his voice] as a lion: for he shall roar, and the children of the waters shall be amazed.

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

11 They shall be amazed [and fly] as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will restore them to their houses, says the Lord.

They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will make them to dwell in their houses, saith Jehovah.

12 Ephraim has compassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel and Juda with ungodliness: [but] now God knows them, and they shall be called God's holy people.

Ephraim compasseth me about with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.