< 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 out of Egypt I called my son.
2 As I called them, so they departed from my presence: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burnt incense to graven images.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baals, 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.
And I it was that taught Ephraim to walk, — He took them upon his 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 bands of a man, with cords of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I gently caused them to eat.
5 Ephraim lived in Egypt; and [as for] the Assyrian, he was his king, because he would not return.
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king; for 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 turn about in his cities, and shall consume his 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.
Yea, my people are bent upon backsliding from me: though they call them to the Most High, none at all exalteth [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 over, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee up, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my repentings 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 again destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man, — the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not come in anger.
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; he shall roar like a lion; when he shall roar, then the children shall hasten 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 hasten as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will cause 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 encompasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet walketh with God, and with the holy things of truth.